Mitral Valve Replacement Essay Example

valve prolapse is the most common type of acquired valve disease, affecting approximately 1 to 2 percent of the population.

Mitral valve prolapse is a condition where the cusps of the mitral valve move back into the left atrium during heart contraction. This causes abnormal stretching of valve tissues and leads to leakage. Typically, this condition is asymptomatic and does not require treatment. However, valve disease can also occur due to other factors such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, syphilis, hypertension, aortic aneurysms, or connective tissue diseases. Less common causes include tumors, certain medications, and radiation.

When patients notice symptoms related to a valve condition, they typically seek medical assistance. These symptoms may include fatigue, difficulty exercising, breathing problems, and heart murmurs. To evaluate the function and severity of the mitral valve, a thorough cardiac assessment is performed. This evaluation involves a physical exam, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG), and echocardiography. In some cases, additional tests such as exercise testing, cardiac catheterization, or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) might be necessary.

Routine blood tests are conducted to assess kidney function and detect blood-related issues like anemia. For patients with a valve condition, there are two options depending on the severity: Mitral Valve Repair or Mitral Valve Replacement. Valve repair is commonly performed for congenital valve defects and has a high success rate in resolving mitral valve problems. The benefits include significantly prolonging life expectancy, eliminating the need for long-term anticoagulant medications, and providing reassurance that repairing the valve can be more comforting than replacing it.

Mitral valve replacement involves replacing a defective heart valve with either a mechanical or biological valve. In the United States, hospitals typically opt

for FDA-approved mechanical valves that have different capabilities like opening and closing. Mechanical valves are better suited for younger patients as they have a longer lifespan compared to biological valves. However, there is also an increased risk of long-term thromboembolism associated with mechanical valves.

Patients who are given a mechanical valve may need to take anticoagulant medication for the rest of their lives. This will require regular check-ups every 3 to 12 months to monitor the dosage. The aim is to keep the anticoagulant dose at an effective level that prevents thromboembolism and minimizes bleeding risks. Although mechanical valves are often used in younger patients, women should consider other options due to potential pregnancy complications related to taking anticoagulant medication.

There is a range of biological valves available, including autograft valves, homograft valves, and heterograft valves. Autograft valves are taken from the patient's own heart and used as replacement valves. Homograft valves are obtained from deceased human donors, whereas heterograft valves come from animal donors such as pigs or cows. Although biological valves are not as long-lasting as mechanical ones, they are frequently utilized in patients aged 65 to 70 or older because of their shorter life expectancy.

Patients who undergo surgery to replace their heart valves with biological valves may need to take anticoagulant medication for a period of up to three months after the procedure. This is because biological valves have a lower long-term risk of thromboembolism. However, even with adequate anticoagulation, it is still possible for blood clots to form on mechanical heart valves, although this occurrence is rare.

The use of anticoagulants has been associated with severe bleeding in approximately 1.3% to 2.7% of patients

each year following mechanical heart valve replacement surgery.

Over time, biological valves tend to deteriorate and as a result, about 30% of patients may require valve replacement within ten years and this number increases to 50% within fifteen years.

My personal experience with heart valve replacements originated from witnessing my father undergo the procedure. Though I was quite young at the time, this sparked my interest in the causes, alternatives, and further research surrounding heart valve replacements. The most intriguing perspective I obtained came from engaging in a conversation with my father about his own experience. Despite having read numerous books and articles on the subject, it was through this conversation that I truly grasped the full picture as he recounted his journey from beginning to end.

Despite the ongoing risks and uncertainties associated with the procedure, he continues to face them. This includes his regular visits to the doctor for blood tests and the constant fear of potentially fatal bleeding if an unexpected event like a car accident were to occur. However, despite these challenges, the surgical replacement of his mitral valve not only saved his life many years ago but also enabled him to witness the milestones of all his grandchildren and enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life.

Book Neighbors, Marianna & Tannehill-Jones, Ruth. Human Diseases. Clifton Park: Delmar, 2010 Online (1)Harvard Medical School. "Heart Valve Replacement", available at http://symptomchecker.about.com, February 14, 2005 (2)WebMD Medical Reference in collaboration with The Cleveland Clinic. "Heart Disease: Heart Valve Disease", available at http://www.medicinenet.com/heart_valve_disease/article.htm, 2011 (3)Mt. Sinai Hospital. "Mitral Valve Function, Mitral Valve Repair, Re-operations and Re-repairs", available at http://www.mitralvalverepair.org, 2009 - 2010