Prosthetic Valves

Question 1

What scar would a patient have if they have a mitral or aortic valve replacement?

Answer 1

Midline sternotomy scar

Question 2

What is the lifespan of a biprosthetic valve?

Answer 2

10 years

Question 3

What is the lifespan of a mechanical valve?

Answer 3

Over 20 years

Question 4

What medication needs to be given lifelong for patients with a mechanical valve?

Answer 4

Warfarin

Question 5

What is the INR range and the target INR for people with mechanical heart valve?

Answer 5

2.5-3.5

Target is 3

Question 6

What are the three types of mechanical heart valve?

Answer 6

Starr-Edwards valve (no longer used)

Tilting disc valve

St. Jude valve/bi-leaflet valve (least risk of thrombus formation)

Question 7

What are the 3 major complications of mechanical heart valves?

Answer 7

Thrombus formation

Infective endocarditis (infection of valve)

Haemolysis causing anaemia (blood gets churned up in valve)

Question 8

A metallic mitral valve causes a click over which heart sound?

Answer 8

S1

Question 9

A metallic aortic valve causes a click over which heart sound?

Answer 9

S2

Question 10

What is the procedure called when fitting an aortic biprosthetic valve for aortic stenosis, and what artery is used to gain access?

Answer 10

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

Femoral artery used

Question 11

What 3 organisms commonly cause infective endocarditis due to infection of mechanical heart valves?

Answer 11

Staphylococcus

Streptococcus

Enterococcus