What is a bioprosthetic mitral valve?
Bioprosthetic valves are generally made of either bovine pericardium or porcine aortic valves, but may also be produced from equine or porcine pericardium. The advantage of these bioprosthetic valves is that they do not require life-long anticoagulation.
Do bioprosthetic mitral valves need anticoagulation?
Finally, even though fewer data are available, patients with bioprosthetic mitral valves appear to be at higher risk for thrombotic complications, and routine anticoagulation for 3-6 months is recommended.
Can you live with a leaky mitral valve?
A leaky valve doesn’t close the way it should, allowing some blood to flow backward into the left atrium. If left untreated, a leaky valve could lead to heart failure.
What does bioprosthetic mean?
Medical Definition of bioprosthesis : a prosthesis (as a porcine heart valve) consisting of an animal part or containing animal tissue.
How long does a bioprosthetic mitral valve last?
Because most bioprosthetic valves are free from structural deterioration for 12 –15 years, many patients will die before the valves degenerate. The risk of tissue valve reoperation increases progressively with time, especially in younger patients.
Do you need anticoagulation after mitral valve replacement?
In addition, the highest risk of thromboembolism occurs in the early months post surgery. Therefore, until studies demonstrate the safety of omitting warfarin for patients undergoing mitral valve repair, 3 months of anticoagulation should remain the standard of care.
When do you start anticoagulation after mitral valve replacement?
In order to prevent early thromboembolic complications after heart valve replacement, anticoagulation should be started within 24 h after the procedure using intravenous UFH or subcutaneous LMWH. Sufficient anticoagulation can be achieved with subcutaneous LMWH.