Prosthetic Valves Flashcards
Which valves are most common replaced?
Aortic and mitral
What are the 2 main indications for a prosthetic valve?
Aortic stenosis
Mitral regurgitation
What scar is seen after valve replacement?
Midline sternotomy
Sometimes right sided mini thoracotomy scar seen in mitral valve surgery
What is the average lifespan of a bioprosthetic valve?
10 years
What is the average lifespan of a mechanical valve?
Over 20 years
What medication is required after mechanical valve replacement?
Lifelong anticoagulantion with warfarin
What is the INR range for people with mechanical valves?
2.5-3.5
What is a star Edwards valve?
Why is it no longer used?
• The ball moves away from the opening to let blood through, then moves back against the opening to prevent blood from regurgitating through the valve.
High risk of thrombus formation
What is a tilting disc valve?
Singular tilting disc
What is a st Jude valve?
2 tilting metal discs
Bileaflet valves
What’s the most common mechanical valve?
Why?
St Jude’s
Smallest risk of thrombus
When is click heard in mechanical mitral valve?
S1
What click is heard in mechanical aortic valve?
S2
On auscultation you hear a click at S1. What does this indicate?
Mechanical mitral valve
On auscultation you hear a click at S2. What does this indicate?
Mechanical aortic valve
What are the 3 major complications of mechanical heart valves?
- Thrombus formation (blood stagnates and clots)
- Infective endocarditis (infection in the prosthesis)
- Haemolysis causing anaemia (blood gets churned up in the valve)
What indicates a TAVI?
Severe aortic stenosis
Patients at high risk of open valve replacement
What is a tavi?
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation
What are the 3 main causes of IE?
Staphylococcus
Streptococcus
Enterococcus
What type of bacteria mainly causes IE?
E.g. gram staining and shape
Gram +ve cocci
