more on cardiovascular disease Flashcards
what can an artificial heart do
pump blood around the body
why would someone have a heart transplant
if it fails
if a donor heart isn’t available they may fit a
artificial heart
why do doctors put in artificial hearts
keep a person alive until a donor heart is available
advantages of artificial hearts
made from metal or plastics - less likely to be attacked by body’s immune system
disadvantages of artificial heart
can lead to bleeding and infection
don’t work as well as healthy ones
blood doesn’t flow as smoothly
patient has to take drug to thin blood
what else can be replaced in the heart
faulty heart valves
what happens to valves that are damaged
they stiffen
valve can also become leaky which means
bloom flows in both directions
what are the 2 types of valves that can replace old ones
biological valves - from humans or other mammals
mechanical valves - man made
replacing a valve is less risky than …
a heart transplant
what’s a risk of heart valves
blood clot
