Prosthetic Heart
Valve: |
| On this page: |
What is a prosthetic
heart valve - When is it used -
How does it work - What
will it accomplish - What are the
risks - When should it not be used
- Recently approved prosthetic heart
valves - Search all prosthetic heart
valves - Links |
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| What
is it? |
A prosthetic (artificial) heart valve
is a replacement for a diseased or dysfunctional heart valve.
There are two types of artificial valves:
- mechanical heart valve
A mechanical heart valve is made of man-made materials.
The advantage of mechanical valves is that they can usually
last a lifetime. They do not wear out the way natural or
biological valves do.
- biological heart valve
Biological heart valves are made from tissue taken from
animals or human cadavers. They are treated with preservatives
and sterilized for human implantation.
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When
is
it used? |
A prosthetic heart valve is used
to replace a heart valve that leaks or has thickened, hardened,
or stretched. If the valve fails to open and close properly,
it decreases the efficient flow of blood through the heart and
results in an increased workload. Over time, this can lead to
heart failure.
Two conditions that may require heart valve replacement are
stenosis and insufficiency.
- In stenosis, the valve has a smaller opening
than the original valve. The heart has to work much harder
at pushing the blood through. Over time this can cause strain
on the heart and could even lead to death.
- In insufficiency (or regurgitation), the
valve leaks. This may allow the blood to flow backward through
the heart.
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How
does
it work? |
Like natural heart valves,
prosthetic heart valves open and close when the heart contracts
and relaxes. As they open, they permit blood to flow in the
proper direction. When they close, they prevent blood from
flowing backward (backflow).
Heart valve replacement requires open heart surgery done
under general anesthetic. |
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| What
will it accomplish? |
Replacing the heart valve will
allow proper blood flow through heart.
Heart valve replacement is done when damage to the heart
valve starts to significantly affect the ability of the heart
to function. A patient who has a diseased, damaged, or malfunctioning
heart valve may feel weak, tired, or otherwise handicapped.
Replacing a heart valve can lengthen or save a person’s
life and increase the quality of life.
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What
are
the risks? |
Heart valve surgery carries
risks of severe complications. Potential complications include
bleeding, development of blood clots, respiratory failure,
infection, and device failure.
Your doctor can tell you more about the risks associated
with prosthetic heart valves.
In addition, there are some risks associated with each type
of heart valve.
- mechanical heart valves
Mechanical heart valves can increase the risk of blood clots.
Because of this, patients must take blood thinners for the
rest of their lives. Even though blood thinners are relatively
safe, they do increase the risk of bleeding in the body.
- biological heart valves
Biological heart valves may wear out over time. They may
need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years.
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When
should
it not be used? |
Mechanical heart valves should
not be placed in patients who can not tolerate long-term anticoagulation
therapy. |
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| Recently
approved prosthetic heart valves: |
Find
information about specific prosthetic heart valves from FDA's
Recently Approved Devices listings. |
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all prosthetic heart valves: |
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