Prosthetic heart valves: which ones and why.
The type and to some extent the size of prosthesis are by far the most important factors determining the patient's prognosis. Extensive necropsy experience shows that in terms of hemodynamics, thrombogenesis, and deterioration-the three major criteria-none of the four main types of prosthetic valves in use today is ideal. Emphasis placed on the role of the referring cardiologist in the choice of surgeon and prosthesis.
D000818:Animals; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006351:Heart Valves / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D013552:Swine; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous