Calcification of polyurethane heart valve prosthesis

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20000039

Heart valve related disease is a significant cause of mortality worldwide and in severe cases requires the patient to undergo a heart valve replacement surgery. The available heart valve prostheses on the market are mechanical and biological substitutes. However, both types of available heart valves have negative side-effects because they are fabricated from foreign materials. Mechanical heart valves have proven to be very durable, but are susceptible to thrombosis and thromboembolism and necessitate long-term anticoagulation therapy. On the other hand, bioprosthetic valves require little or no anticoagulation; however, the underlying problem with them is a limited life because of structural changes such as leaflet wear and calcification leading to valve failure.