title: Reflections on the development of valvular prostheses.
abstract: Surgical attempts to open obstructed heart valves in the 1940s led to the eventual development of valvular prostheses, accompanied by the parallel development of methods of sustaining extracorporeal circulation; biocompatible materials; and engineering designs. Early problems encountered included the incidence of thrombotic phenomena, audibility of valvular noise, impaired flow dynamics, and hemo-incapability. These problems have been solved with increasing success with the creation of new plastics, the ball valve design, and improved manufacturing processes.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005112:Extracorporeal Circulation; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history* / Q000295:instrumentation; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D011126:Polypropylenes; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D012828:Silicones; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D011126:Polypropylenes; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D012828:Silicones