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If you have a prosthetic heart valve you are likely aware that it is either a tissue valve known as a bioprosthetic valve or a mechanical one out of metal. Tissue valves are either Bovine or Porcine but for all intensive purposes are referred to as bioprosthetic and do not require blood thinners. Mechanical valves all require patients to be on Coumadin/warfarin to prevent clotting.
Patients with prosthetic valves need lifetime cardiac follow up. They are a special group of patients due to risk of valve degeneration and failure, need for repeat valve surgery, and a much higher rate of infection of the valves which are life threatening and known as endocarditis.
“Valve” patients need frequent echocardiograms and antibiotics for non cardiac procedures. Those with prosthetic pig or cow valves in the aortic and mitral position, whose prosthetic valves have become faulty and developed significant tightening or leakage can now easily undergo their valve replacement procedure from the groin by skilled structural operators as opposed to repeat open heart surgeries. Dr. Dehghani performs complex valve in valve aortic replacement procedures and has had an excellent track record with regard to outcome of these complex procedures.
At Everlast Cardiology we welcome you to join our fast-growing patient base who have prosthetic valves. We keep a close record of your progress and are able to quickly clear you for surgical procedures or provide you with antibiotics to protect you against developing Endocarditis when you need colonoscopies or other more major surgeries.