Jagdish Butany, MBBS, MS, FRCPC, Department of Pathology, Toronto General Hospital/University Health Network, Toronto Canada Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Gursharan S. Soor, BSc, Department of Pathology, Toronto General Hospital/University Health Network, Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Moyukh Chakrabarti, BSc, Department of Pathology, Toronto General Hospital/University Health Network, Toronto, ON.
Iva Vukin, BSc, Department of Pathology, Toronto General Hospital/University Health Network, Toronto, ON.
Shaun W. Leong, BSc, Department of Pathology, Toronto General Hospital/University Health Network, Toronto, ON.
Prosthetic heart valves (PHVs) are used to replace diseased native valves among patients with valvular stenosis, incompetence, or both. This paper reviews a number of contemporary prosthetic heart valves that are available for implantation in patients for whom valve repair is not possible. There are two major types of PHV: biological and mechanical. Each type of PHV has its own unique benefits and complications, which are outlined in this review. It is important that the practicing physician have some knowledge of contemporary prosthetic heart valves in order to treat patients safely and effectively.
Key words: prosthetic heart valve, mechanical heart valve, stented bioprosthesis, stentless bioprosthesis.
