Artificial heart valve

From Food & Medicine Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Prosthetic heart valve)

==Artificial Heart Valve ==

An artificial heart valve is a device implanted in the heart of a patient to replace a dysfunctional heart valve. The primary function of an artificial heart valve is to replicate the function of a natural heart valve, ensuring unidirectional blood flow through the heart and preventing backflow.

Types of Artificial Heart Valves[edit]

There are two main types of artificial heart valves:

  • Mechanical Valves: These are made from durable materials such as titanium or carbon. Mechanical valves are known for their longevity and durability. However, patients with mechanical valves often require lifelong anticoagulant therapy to prevent blood clots.
  • Bioprosthetic Valves: These are made from biological tissues, either from human donors (homografts) or from animal tissues (xenografts), such as porcine or bovine valves. Bioprosthetic valves generally do not require long-term anticoagulation but may have a shorter lifespan compared to mechanical valves.

Indications for Artificial Heart Valve Replacement[edit]

Artificial heart valve replacement is indicated in patients with severe valvular heart disease, which can include conditions such as:

Surgical Procedures[edit]

The implantation of an artificial heart valve can be performed through various surgical techniques, including:

  • Open-heart surgery: The traditional method where the chest is opened, and the heart is accessed directly.
  • Minimally invasive surgery: Techniques that involve smaller incisions and potentially faster recovery times.
  • Transcatheter valve replacement: A less invasive procedure where the valve is delivered via a catheter, often used for patients who are high-risk for open-heart surgery.

Postoperative Care[edit]

After the implantation of an artificial heart valve, patients require careful monitoring and follow-up care, which may include:

  • Regular echocardiograms to assess valve function.
  • Anticoagulant therapy, especially for those with mechanical valves.
  • Lifestyle modifications and adherence to prescribed medications.

Complications[edit]

Potential complications associated with artificial heart valves include:

History[edit]

The development of artificial heart valves has evolved significantly since the first successful implantation in the 1960s. Innovations in materials and surgical techniques have greatly improved the outcomes and quality of life for patients requiring valve replacement.

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

External Links[edit]


Cardiovascular disease A-Z

Most common cardiac diseases

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A[edit]

B[edit]

C[edit]

D[edit]

E[edit]

H[edit]

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

I[edit]

K[edit]

L[edit]

M[edit]

N[edit]

O[edit]

P[edit]

R[edit]

S[edit]

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

T[edit]

V[edit]

W[edit]

Stub icon

This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding the page.

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Retrieved from "https://wikimd.org/index.php?title=Artificial_heart_valve&oldid=5799204"