Heart Flashcards
What is a stent? What does it do?
A stent is a metal cage tube that can be opened. It is used to open the arteries when there is a build up of plaque. You put a small ballon inside the stent and push it to where there is a build up. You inflate the ballon which opens the stent and keeps it in that position and keeps the wall of the artery opened. You remove the ballon and the blood will be able to pass easily.
Explain why the left ventricle wall is thicker than the right ventricle wall.
The blood flowing through the left side of the heart is under higher pressure than the blood on the right side because on the left side the blood has just been pumped out of the heart whereas on the right that it when the blood has already done a full circulation of your body already
What are mechanical heart valves
These valves are made of lightweight, strong, and durable materials, such as titanium. They will last 20–30 years before a replacement is needed. Because of the materials in the valve, it is likely that blood clots will form on it. This could stop it from working. Patients will need to take blood thinning drugs every day for the rest of their lives.
Even with the thinning drugs, there is also the risk that a blood clot will form and then move to block a blood vessel, which could cause a stroke or heart attack.
What are biological heart valves?
Biological valves are created from animal valves or other animal tissue that is strong and flexible, usually from pigs. They can last 10–20 years. The risk of blood clotting is very small, so patients don’t usually require the long-term use of medication. Mechanical valves are cheaper than biological ones, but this does not take into account the long-term use of drugs
