B4.4 Helping the Heart Flashcards
Explain how valves become leaky.
The heart valves have to withstand a lot of pressure, and over time they can become stiff or leaky. This makes the heart less efficient, and the person affected will eventually die.
How can doctors help patients with leaky valves? What are the pros and cons?
Mechanical valves can be placed, which last a very long time, but medicine must be taken for the rest of the patient’s life to prevent blood clotting around it. Biological valves can be used, and while no medication is needed, they only last 12-15 years.
Explain what the natural pacemaker is.
A group of cells which control the resting rhythm of a heart (70bpm).
How can doctors help patients with pacemaker problems? What are the pros and cons?
An artificial pacemaker, an electrical device, is used to correct any irregularities in the heart rate. It sends strong, regular electrical signals to the heart to stimulate it. Some even make the heart beat faster while exercising. However, they all need regular medical check-ups.
When is an artificial heart used?
When a heart completely fails, a donor heart can be transplanted if they are a tissue match. However, since 2015, almost 1,500 people have been fitted with entirely artificial hearts.
How can doctors help patients with heart failure? What are the pros and cons?
They can use temporary hearts, which support the natural heart until it can be replaced. There have been cases where people use these for up to two years, after which they had heart transplants. They can also be used to give diseased hearts a rest. However, there is always a risk of blood clotting.
