Replacement Heart Valves

Question 1

Compare bioprosthetic and mechanical

Answer 1

• Bioprosthetic
  
  • Limited lifespam of around 10 years
• Mechanical
  
  • Good lifeplan (over 20 years) but need lifelong anticoagulation with warfarin

Question 2

Types of mechanical valves

Answer 2

• Starr-Edwards
  
  • Ball in cage
• Tilting disc valves
  
  • Single tilting disc
• St Jude valve
  
  • Two tilting metal discs

Question 3

COMPLICATIONS

Mechanical heart valves

Answer 3

• Thrombus formation
• Infective endocarditis
• Haemolysis causing anaemia (blood gets churned up in valve)

Question 4

What is transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

Answer 4

Treatment for severe aortic stenosis, done for patients who are high risk for an open valve replacement operation

Catheter inserted into femoral artery, under x-ray guidance to aortic valve, baloon inflated to stretch the stenosed aortiv valve and implant bioprosthetic valve