title: [Types and choice of valve prosthesis].
abstract: A great variety of valvular prostheses are available to the surgeon when conservative valvular repair techniques are not indicated. The choice of a prosthesis is dependent on many diverse factors including the patient himself, local anatomic considerations, and the mechanical characteristics and thromboembolic risk of the prosthesis itself. Two types of prostheses are available: the mechanical prostheses with their well known durability requiring, however, indefinite anticoagulant therapy, or the bioprostheses which provide greater comfort and freedom, but whose long term reliability is uncertain.
mesh_terms: D001705:Bioprosthesis; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000145:classification*; D006801:Humans
vernacular_title: Types et choix des prothèses valvulaires.