Glossary/Valve Disease

Mechanical Valve.

A replacement heart valve made from durable synthetic materials such as carbon and titanium. Mechanical valves can last a lifetime but require permanent anticoagulation therapy (blood thinners) to prevent blood clots.

Definition

What is mechanical valve?

A replacement heart valve made from durable synthetic materials such as carbon and titanium. Mechanical valves can last a lifetime but require permanent anticoagulation therapy (blood thinners) to prevent blood clots.

Related Terms

Related glossary terms.

Bioprosthetic Valve
A replacement heart valve made from animal tissue (usually pig or cow). Bioprosthetic valves typi...
Warfarin
A blood-thinning medication (brand name Coumadin) that inhibits vitamin K-dependent clotting fact...
INR
International Normalized Ratio. A blood test that measures how long it takes blood to clot, used ...
SAVR
Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement. An open-heart procedure to remove a diseased aortic valve and ...
See Also

Related conditions we review.

Mechanical Valve Anticoagulation
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