more on cardio vascular disease Flashcards
when may doctors perform a heart transplant
if the patient has heart failure
where do you get the donor organs from
people who have recently died
what happens if donor organs are not available
doctors may use an artificial heart
what are artificial hearts
mechanical devices that pump blood around the body however they are usually only a temporary fix until a donor is available
what is the main advantage of an artificial heart
they are less likely to be rejected by the bodies immune system than a donor heart
why are artificial hearts less likely to be rejected
they are made from metals or plastic so the body doesn’t recognise it as foreign
what can surgery to fit an artificial heart lead to
bleeding and infection
what does the patient have to take if they have an artificial heart
drugs to thin their blood and make sure blood clots don’t happen
how can valves in the heart be damaged
weakened by heart attacks, infection or old age
What can a damaged valve cause
valve tissue stiffen or it wont open properly
valve may become leaky allowing the blood to flow in both directions rather than just forwards
where can you get replacement valves from
human
other mammals (cows or pigs)
mechanical valves
what is artificial blood
salt solution called saline
when can artificial blood be used
if someone has lost an excessive amount and can keep a person alive long enough until their body produces enough blood cells
