fbpx
ABC Medical Center > Artificial heart valve

What is Artificial heart valve?

22:00 - 4 May , 2021

Medical procedure

Index

Content

Also known as heart valve prosthesis, it is a mechanical or biological device that replaces the injured natural heart valve, and which is implanted through heart surgery. 

A damaged heart valve leads to stenosis or heart failure. The first causes the valve to narrow, preventing it from opening properly and hindering blood flow; while the second causes blood to travel in the wrong direction. 

The replacement of a valve with a prosthesis or artificial valve is indicated in patients whose symptoms are severe and significantly affect their quality of life, or in people in whom, despite not having important symptoms, their life is in danger due to their pathology. 

Prostheses classification:

  • Mechanical: they are made of various metals, plastics, or a combination thereof. They last between 15 and 25 years.
  • Biological: human or animal tissues are used in their making. They last between 10 and 12 years.

Potential risks of artificial heart valves:

  • Sudden blockages in the valve or in another body area due to blood clots.
  • By having to take anticoagulants permanently, the patient may experience serious bleeding. 
  • Infections that cause endocarditis that can damage or block the prosthesis.
  • Blockage or leak due to scar tissue. 
  • Hemolytic anemia due to damage to red blood cells.

Potential risks of replacement surgery:

  • Prosthesis functional problems. 
  • Bleeding and infection.
  • Blood clots.
  • Arrhythmia.
  • Stroke.

Our Pediatric Heart Center is the only private center in Mexico to treat heart conditions with an exclusive unit for pediatric surgeries.

We have a group of highly trained specialists made up of pediatric cardiologists, echocardiographers, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, pediatric cardiovascular surgeons, pediatric cardiovascular anesthesiologists, pediatric specialists in cardiovascular intensive care, nurses, medical assistants, perfusionists, psychologists, and social workers.

Services:

  • Cardiovascular surgery
  • Interventional cardiology
  • Pediatric cardiac ultrasound
  • Fetal cardiac ultrasound
  • Pediatric electrophysiology
  • Fetal electrophysiology
  • Cardiovascular intensive care unit
  • Pediatric cardiology clinic
  • Univentricular heart program

Related centers and departments:

Fuentes: 

  • cardiopatiascongenitas.net
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • texasheart.org
  • kidshealth.otg
  • msdmanuals.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Diliz-Nava HS, Pérez-Juárez F, Araujo-Martínez A, et al. Reemplazo valvular mitral en edad pediátrica. Acta Pediatr Mex. 2017;38(1):10-16.
  • Reyes-Martínez M, Cadena-Estrada JC. Comparación de la calidad de vida de los pacientes con prótesis valvular cardíaca biológica y mecánica. Rev Mex Enf Cardiol. 2012;20(2):54-59.
  • Hernández-Martínez E, Hernández-Palacios RD, Hernández-González JS. Manejo estomatológico del paciente con prótesis valvular cardiaca. Rev ADM. 2007;64(3):85-90.
  • Valencia-Sánchez JS, Arriaga-Nava R. Trombólisis en la válvula mecánica cardiaca izquierda obstruida Seguimiento y resultados. Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2014;52(6):684-691.

How can we help you?

    
    						
    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.