With tissue valves, the need for life-long blood-thinning medication is usually minimal. Your doctor might put you on blood thinning medication while you're healing. After that, he or she will look at your risk factors to see if you need to continue on the medication. The fact that tissue valves may not require life-long blood-thinning medication makes them ideal for women in their childbearing years, elderly patients, and patients who can't tolerate anticoagulation medication.
You may need to take antibiotics before you have dental work or other medical procedures done, just as you would if you received a mechanical valve. Even a simple teeth cleaning can introduce bacteria into your bloodstream, which can find their way to your heart valve and cause an infection. Be sure to tell your dentist or doctor you have a tissue heart valve.
Complications, sometimes leading to repeated surgery or even death, may be associated with heart valve replacement. Discuss your personal situation with your doctor to ensure you understand the risks, benefits, and possible complications associated with heart valve replacement surgery. All mechanical valves make a little noise.
When a mechanical heart valve opens and closes, you may hear two distinct clicking sounds. This is normal. Late results of heart valve replacement with the Hancock II bioprosthesis. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. Your browser is out of date With an updated browser, you will have a better Medtronic website experience.
Toggle navigation FAQ. How long will my heart valve last? Will my new valve need special care? Will a mechanical heart valve set off airport security? Can I have an x-ray after heart valve replacement? Is it safe to have a magnetic resonance imaging MRI scan after heart valve replacement? How soon after surgery can I expect to see results? How soon after surgery can I resume normal activity? If you need a new heart valve, the replacement may be mechanical or biological.
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Clot-risks are higher for people with mechanical valves. People on blood thinners must be carefully monitored because blood that's too thin could increase the risk of bleeding. Patients and their health care team should discuss treatment options and share in the decision-making process to choose the most appropriate treatment.
View illustrations of mechanical and tissue valves. These valves are made of strong, durable materials. They are the most long-lasting type of replacement valve. Patients who receive a manufactured valve will almost always require a blood-thinning medication for the rest of their lives. The blood thinner will keep clots from forming, which is critical because clots can lodge in the valve flaps or hinges and cause a malfunction.
Clots can also break off and form into an embolism traveling clot , which may move through the bloodstream and lodge into a vessel where it may lead to problems such as heart attack or stroke. Human donor valves are often used for someone suffering from a condition that affects the valve, such as infective endocarditis. A donor valve can be expected to last 10 to 20 years.
Tissue valves can last 10 to 20 years, and usually don't require the long-term use of medication.
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