Mechanical Heart valves are designed to mimic natural heart valves as closely as possible. The valve is implanted in the heart of the patient where the damaged heart valve was removed. Artificial heart valves allows for correct blood flow through the heart by opening and closing with each heartbeat (St Jude Medical, n.d.).
The Medtronic mechanical heart valve contains two leaflets (Medtronic, 2011). The pressure in the heart causes the leaflets to open and close, allowing blood flow in only one direction (Allen K, 2011). The valve is made of solid pyrolytic carbon and has a titanium strengthening band that provides for a thin yet strong orifice (Van Nooten GJ, 2009). This makes the valve extremely durable and able to last throughout a patient’s lifetime. The valve can be used on many different patients as it is available in sizes from 16 mm to 26 mm for aortic valve replacement (Medtronic, 2011). …show more content…
The blood flow in bileaflet valves has been proven to be excellent (Emery RW, 2004). Blood clots are a serious risk of mechanical heart valves. Patients take blood thinning medication forever after implantation (St Jude Medical, n.d.). Medtronic Open Pivot™ mechanical heart valves are a fundamental change in bileaflet valve design. The valve has important design aspects to impede blood clot formation. Recesses and cavities in the open pivot valve have been eliminated (Medtronic 2011), there is no place in the hinge area where a potential thrombus can form (Emery RW, 2004). There is also an unimpeded flow of blood that provides a continuous passive washing. This gentle treatment of blood cells is proven to result in low levels of clotting (Shiono M,
The Medtronic mechanical heart valve contains two leaflets (Medtronic, 2011). The pressure in the heart causes the leaflets to open and close, allowing blood flow in only one direction (Allen K, 2011). The valve is made of solid pyrolytic carbon and has a titanium strengthening band that provides for a thin yet strong orifice (Van Nooten GJ, 2009). This makes the valve extremely durable and able to last throughout a patient’s lifetime. The valve can be used on many different patients as it is available in sizes from 16 mm to 26 mm for aortic valve replacement (Medtronic, 2011). …show more content…
The blood flow in bileaflet valves has been proven to be excellent (Emery RW, 2004). Blood clots are a serious risk of mechanical heart valves. Patients take blood thinning medication forever after implantation (St Jude Medical, n.d.). Medtronic Open Pivot™ mechanical heart valves are a fundamental change in bileaflet valve design. The valve has important design aspects to impede blood clot formation. Recesses and cavities in the open pivot valve have been eliminated (Medtronic 2011), there is no place in the hinge area where a potential thrombus can form (Emery RW, 2004). There is also an unimpeded flow of blood that provides a continuous passive washing. This gentle treatment of blood cells is proven to result in low levels of clotting (Shiono M,