An artificial heart valve is a prosthetic device used to replace a damaged or diseased heart valve, ensuring proper blood flow through the heart. There are two main types of artificial heart valves: mechanical valves, which are made of durable materials like metal and plastic, and biological valves, typically made from animal tissue (such as porcine or bovine) or donated human tissue. Mechanical valves are long-lasting but require lifelong use of blood-thinning medications to prevent clot formation. Biological valves do not typically require anticoagulation therapy but may wear out over time and need to be replaced after several years. The need for an artificial heart valve arises from conditions such as aortic or mitral valve stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage), where the valve fails to open or close properly, causing blood to flow inefficiently. These conditions can result from congenital heart defects, infections like endocarditis, or degenerative changes due to aging. In severe cases, a damaged valve can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, or other life-threatening complications. Symptoms that may lead to the consideration of an artificial heart valve include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, and swelling in the legs or abdomen. These symptoms result from the heart working harder to compensate for the malfunctioning valve. An artificial heart valve restores normal blood flow, alleviating symptoms and improving a patient's quality of life. Patients require regular follow-up care to monitor the valve's function and, in the case of mechanical valves, to manage anticoagulation therapy.
