Are We Implanting Too Few Mechanical Valves?

Norman Briffa of the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the UK discusses the decision between mechanical and biological aortic valves, focusing on patients between the ages of 50 and 70 years old. He begins by reviewing the guidelines and evidence related to valve durability and bleeding risk. Concluding that the decision should be patient-specific, he notes that consideration should be given to advances in anticoagulation care, improvements in patient follow-up surveillance, and device innovation.

This presentation was originally given during the SCTS Ionescu University program at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain and Ireland. This content is published with the permission of SCTS. Please click here for more information on SCTS educational programs.