ARTIFICIAL HEART VALVE

An artificial (prosthetic) valve can be either tissue or mechanical.

CLINICAL STUDIES

The Avalus bioprosthesis, Mosaic bioprosthesis, Hancock II bioprosthesis, and Freestyle bioprosthesis have been evaluated in multi-center studies with more than 800 patient-years of clinical evidence. These studies looked at outcomes including death, blocking of the valve or blood vessel by blood clots, blood flowing in the wrong direction through or around the heart valve, infection, structural and nonstructural valve damage, whether the heart valve needed to be removed, and any problem with the heart valve that causes obstruction of blood circulation to the heart. The data from these studies has demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the Avalus bioprosthesis, Mosaic bioprosthesis, Hancock II bioprosthesis, and Freestyle bioprosthesis.

MEDTRONIC OPEN PIVOT MECHANICAL VALVE

The Medtronic Open Pivot™ heart valve contains two half discs — called leaflets — that tilt to open and close with each heartbeat, regulating the flow of blood. The valve is surrounded by a polyester fabric ring, which the surgeon uses to attach the valve to the heart tissues.