Heart Valve Replacement Case Study

Tissue or Mechanical, when choosing heart valve for replacement should age of a patient play a role in the selection? Before giving my opinion, about if the age of a patient play a role in selection of a valve replacement, I will first discuss the different between Tissue and Mechanical valves.
Tissue heart valves: A lifetime of a tissue valve is typically 10-15 years, and are often less in younger patient. Tissue valves without frames improve blood flow. Tissue valve are not easy to put in place and cannot be used again. The main advantage of tissue valves is their low needs for anticoagulation therapy that reduces the incidence of bleeding. Most tissues valve patient taking aspirin a day is enough anticoagulation therapy. Most patient with tissue valves don 't enjoy the benefit because of anticoagulation requirements for other heart or vascular condition. Tissue valves don 't require long term anticoagulation but carry the risk of structural failure and re-operation. Recently, the use of tissue valves instead of mechanical valves is growing higher in younger patient because of its advantages.

Mechanical heart valves: Many are bileaflet designs, the main advantage of mechanical valves is known for its value to last a patient 's lifetime. They are most value for patient with life expectancies beyond 10-15 years due to the fact that they eliminate mortality risk inherent in the replacement of a worn out tissue valve. The best mechanical valve example the on-x valves, have excellent flow performance, rivaling that of the native valve even in the small sizes. The main backward of mechanical valves is the need for warfarin anticoagulation therapy with its risk of bleeding. Bleeding are rare but are potentially fatal. Mechanical valves can be audible when opening and closing. The sound level varies with patient, a small number of patient find the sound disturbing, others find it reassuring. (According to Boyle, A.J. Pgs. 43-44,