title: [Mechanical versus biological heart valves].
abstract: Since the first successful heart valve replacement procedures were performed in the 1950s, a multitude of different heart valves have been developed and implanted. This review offers a structured overview of the most important mechanical and biological heart valves with special regard to the individual indications of mechanical versus biological heart valve replacement and to possible postoperative complications.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Herz-, Thorax- und Gefässchirurgie Herzzentrum Lahr/Baden Postfach 1340 77933 Lahr, Germany. juergen.ennker@heart-lahr.com
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ennker
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lauruschkat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000637:transplantation*; D001705:Bioprosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D002417:Cattle; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013552:Swine; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous