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Related Subjects: Chronic Heart Failure
|Heart Failure and Pulmonary Oedema
|Loop Diuretics
|Prosthetic Metal and Tissue Valves
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Ivabradine
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Furosemide
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Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
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Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT) Pacemaker
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π« Problems with prosthetic valve issues should be referred urgently to a Cardiologist.
Elective operative mortality β 2%, but this risk rises in patients with IHD (often combined with CABG), lung disease, and the elderly.
π‘ Exam Tip:
Mechanical = π°οΈ long-lasting but β οΈ lifelong Warfarin.
Biological = π©Έ no long-term anticoagulation but π§ wears out sooner.
Choice depends on age, bleeding risk, anticoagulation tolerance, and patient preference (e.g. pregnancy planning).
βοΈ Biological vs Mechanical Prosthetic Valves
Feature
Biological (Bioprosthetic) Valves
Mechanical (Metal) Valves
πΌοΈ Image


βοΈ Material
Porcine/bovine tissue, or human homografts.
Titanium, carbon-based alloys. Eg. bileaflet designs.
β³ Longevity
10β15 years (degenerates faster in younger pts).
Durable, often 20β30+ years (can last lifetime).
π Anticoagulation
π©Έ Thrombosis Risk
Low (similar to native valve).
High β hence mandatory anticoagulation.
π¨ Haemodynamics
More physiological flow, lower gradients.
Slightly less natural flow but durable.
π¦ Endocarditis Risk
Risk exists β antibiotic prophylaxis required in high-risk procedures.
Similar risk; prosthetic valve endocarditis can be devastating.
πΆ Sound
Silent.
Characteristic audible βclickβ on auscultation.
β οΈ Complications
π©ββοΈ Clinical Indications
π Examples
π References