For most cases, a blood thinner, also known as Coumadin, is typically prescribed for a limited period of time after an annuloplasty repair ring has been implanted. The time frame is generally based on how long it takes the patient's native tissue to seal the ring and no longer present a risk of thrombus/clotting formation.

No. A valve or annuloplasty ring is not affected by ultra-violet rays, even if the rays could penetrate that deeply into your tissue.

The AnnuloFlex Annuloplasty Ring is made of a braided polyester suture in the center, covered by barium sulfate-impregnated silicone rubber and a polyester cloth material on the outside. The AnnuloFlo Annuloplasty Ring is made of a titanium alloy stiffening ring in center, covered by silicone rubber, with a carbon-coated polyester cloth material on the outside.

It is actually a fairly complicated procedure. Please refer to the AnnuloFlex and AnnuloFlo Annuloplasty System Surgical Technique Guide located in the annuloplasty ring repair section of this website. Please note that this technique guide is simply a recommendation and surgical techniques differ from surgeon to surgeon.

Five years from date of sterilization. The expiration date is marked on the carton and jar labels and represents the last day of the month printed, e.g. 08/2006 = 08/31/2006.

When a patient needs a heart valve replacement, two types are available, mechanical and tissue. Tissue valves are made of either cow (bovine) tissue or pig (porcine) tissue. Mechanical valves are made from materials such as ceramic-coated graphite, metal, or plastics.

On a size for size basis, Mitroflow valve gradients are similar to those obtained for the standard St. Jude and CarboMedics mechanical valves. However, the Mitroflow valve should be compared to the CarboMedics Top Hat Aortic Valve because, like Top Hat, the Mitroflow valve allows up to a two-size increase over the size of a standard valve.

The primary advantages of the Mitroflow valve are performance and durability. The Mitroflow valve provides the hemodynamic performance of a stentless valve while reducing the need for long cross-clamp time and complex implantation technique. The unique mounting of the pericardium on the outside of the stent allows for maximum valve opening and optimum blood flow. The sewing cuff allows placement in smaller aortic annuli, resulting in better hemodynamics.

Heart valve damage, which is also called valvulopathy, is the most common damage caused by the combination of phentermine and fenfluramine. In most cases, this occurs when the heart-valves do not close properly, which causes a leakage of blood at the valve (also known as regurgitation). While this is not usually a serious problem, if the valves are badly damaged by the Phen Fen, pulmonary hypertension may result. This type of hypertension is known as SPH or Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension.

Heart valve damage ("valvulopathy") is the most common injury from the use of fen-phen. Valvulopathy occurs when the heart-valves (typically the aortic and mitral valves) do not open and close properly, causing regurgitation of blood. If the valves are seriously impaired, secondary pulmonary hypertension may result.

long as the patient remains in good health after implantation of the ring implant, the annuloplasty ring should last for the remainder of the patient's lifetime. The ring itself should become quickly covered with the patient's native tissue, essentially blending into the background. Valve patients undergoing ANY dental procedure should be considered for prophylactic treatment. Please consult your physician about this prior to visiting a dentist.

Yes. All Carbomedics mechanical heart valves and annuloplasty rings have been tested in between the range of 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla for excessive heating and displacement. The test results indicate that no displacement occurred and the impact from heat was negligible. Note however that some image distortion can occur in the vicinity of the valve. The complete report of the test results are available on the website.

It is very unlikely. However, if you suspect that you might be allergic to polyester, silicone, barium sulfate, titanium, or nitinol, you should discuss it with your surgeon who may arrange for testing prior to your surgery. No. These electrical and magnetic fields are too weak to significantly heat or displace the valve or annuloplasty ring.

All Carbomedics instrumentation must be cleaned and steam sterilized prior to initial use and each reuse. Carbomedics instrumentation may be steam sterilized according to specific minimum parameters. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the sterilization equipment and established hospital procedures. Carbomedics instruments should not be used if there are any signs of crazing or evidence of aging that may affect function.

A rigid ring, once implanted, fixes the valve in a specific shape. A flexible ring, once implanted, allows the valve to take whatever shape is natural for it and probably can conform to the changes in shape and position of the left atrioventricular junction during the cardiac cycle. Either can be used for mitral valve repair, it is surgeon preference on which they implant. Carbomedics offers both rigid and flexible rings. AnnuloFlo is rigid and AnnuloFlex is flexible.

Each ZoloBOSS path measures an average value. But by crossing paths and creating a grid of laser beams through the combustion zone, Zolo Technologies can create a concentration map for each measured constituent simultaneously. This technique is a rough version (thanks to far fewer paths) as computer aided tomography, or CAT scans. That's why we call this combustion CAT scanning.

The valve(s) does not close completely, causing the blood to flow backward instead of forward through the valve. The valve(s) opening becomes narrowed or does not form properly, inhibiting the flow of blood out of the ventricle or atria. The heart is forced to pump blood with increased force in order to move blood through the stiff (stenotic) valve(s). Heart valves can have both malfunctions at the same time (regurgitation and stenosis).

Mild heart valve disease may not cause any symptoms. The following are the most common symptoms of heart valve disease. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may vary depending on the type of heart valve disease present and may include: Symptoms of heart valve disease may resemble other medical conditions and problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

The causes of heart valve damage vary depending on the type of disease present, and may include the following: a history of rheumatic fever (now a rare disease in north America due to effective antibiotic treatment) - a condition characterized by painful fever, inflammation, and swelling of the joints. syphilis (now a rare sexually transmitted disease in North American due to effective treatment) - a disease characterized by progressive symptoms if not treated.

Heart valve disease may be suspected if the heart sounds heard through a stethoscope are abnormal. This is usually the first step in diagnosing a heart valve disease. A characteristic heart murmur (abnormal sounds in the heart due to turbulent blood flow) can often indicate valve regurgitation.

The Mitroflow heart valve is available for the aortic position in sizes: 19mm, 21mm, 23mm, 25mm, 27mm and 29mm Paravalvular leaks may occur at any stage after valve implantation but are most common in the first six postoperative months, with the exception of leaks due to endocarditis, which may occur at any time. Modern echocardiographic systems often reveal leaks in the immediate postoperative period but the vast majority of these disappear within days.

The Mitroflow valve is intended for the replacement of malfunctioning aortic valves.

CarboMedics mechanical heart valves are never explanted because they wear out. The expected wear life of the mechanical valve is between 100 and 400 years. Bioprosthetic valves can wear out. If this occurs, the valve must be replaced.

See also the topics Heart Failure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Aortic Valve Stenosis, and Aortic Valve Regurgitation.

this is a newly recognized concern, we don't know yet what happens over time to people with this kind of heart valve problem. Based on data known at present, many of those patients affected don't have any symptoms of heart disease at present and don't require any treatment other than careful follow-up by their doctor and pre-treatment with antibiotics before certain medical or dental procedures, as previously described in these "Q&As".

No. The stroke itself has no effect on the heart, but patients who suffer a stroke may have had heart disease already, which they may or may not have known about before the stroke.