title: Bioprosthetic heart valves: modes of failure.
abstract: Valve replacement started in 1960, with the surgeon now having a significant variety of prosthetic heart valves from which to choose. These valves are broadly divided into mechanical heart valves (MHV) and bioprosthetic heart valves (BHV). Improvements in the performance and ease of usage of BHV without the need for anticoagulant therapy are among the desired features of BHV and hence the increasingly preferred choice over their mechanical counterparts. However, with increased use the post-implantation complications have become more apparent, and these include: calcification, cusp tears, pannus growth, infective endocarditis, valve thrombosis and other factors specific to valve type. In this review we describe these complications in order to bring awareness among surgeons, clinicians and pathologists. Diagnosis, treatment and preventive measures, if taken in a timely manner, can help reduce their impact and further enhance the quality of life of patients with prosthetic heart valves.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Toronto General Hospital/University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada.
authors.forename: Raheela Fareed
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: Johnathan Rajiv
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: Jagdish
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Butany
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000209:etiology; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006351:Heart Valves / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D011474:Prosthesis Design / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology