Journal
HISTOPATHOLOGY
Volume 55, Issue 2, Pages 135-144Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2008.03190.x
Keywords
bioprosthetic heart valves; calcification; cuspal tears; infective endocarditis; pannus; thrombosis
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Valve replacement started in 1960, with the surgeon now having a significant variety of prosthetic heart valves from which to choose. These valves are broadly divided into mechanical heart valves (MHV) and bioprosthetic heart valves (BHV). Improvements in the performance and ease of usage of BHV without the need for anticoagulant therapy are among the desired features of BHV and hence the increasingly preferred choice over their mechanical counterparts. However, with increased use the post-implantation complications have become more apparent, and these include: calcification, cusp tears, pannus growth, infective endocarditis, valve thrombosis and other factors specific to valve type. In this review we describe these complications in order to bring awareness among surgeons, clinicians and pathologists. Diagnosis, treatment and preventive measures, if taken in a timely manner, can help reduce their impact and further enhance the quality of life of patients with prosthetic heart valves.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available