title: Current heart valve prostheses.
abstract: Current heart valve prostheses may be classified as either mechanical or tissue valves (bioprostheses). The principal advantage of mechanical devices is their established long-term durability; however, chronic anticoagulation is recommended to reduce the incidence of thromboembolic complications. Tissue valves are associated with a relatively low rate of thromboembolism but their durability level has not been determined. All contemporary prosthetic heart valves yield comparable survival rates.
mesh_terms: D001021:Aortic Valve; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008943:Mitral Valve; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology