What is a porcine valve?

So you know, a porcine valve replacement is actually taken from the heart of a pig. I know that sounds a little odd…. But, porcine valves have been used in heart valve replacement surgery for over 20 years. That makes pig valves a very safe and very credible alternative for patients requiring valve replacement.

What is stentless valve?

Stentless valves enrich the surgical armamentarium for the treatment of aortic valve pathology. They have advantages if implanted in special indications such as depressed left ventricular function, small aortic root or root disease, acute or chronic dissection or aneurysm formation.

How long does a porcine heart valve last?

Tissue valves, which are made from pig heart valves or cow heart-sac tissue, typically last about 15 years.

How long can you live with a pig valve replacement?

Pig heart valves used as replacements typically last 10-15 years in a paitent. Recent reports from the Cleveland Clinic suggest that newer pig valves often last 17 years or longer. The American Heart Association states that pig valves can last up to 20 years. 5.

How is a porcine bioprosthetic valve made?

Bioprosthetic Porcine bioprosthetic valves, including the Hancock and Carpentier-Edwards valves, are harvested from pig hearts with sizes corresponding to the patients’ hearts. Mineralization or calcification of the prosthesis and adjacent tissues is the major problem with porcine valves and bovine pericardial valves.

What is a stented bioprosthetic valve?

Stented bioprosthetic valves — Leaflets made from bovine pericardium or porcine aortic valve treated with a chemical preservative. — Mounted on flexible plastic or titanium metal frame (stent) covered with synthetic fabric (sewing cuff); three stent posts (struts) further support the cusps.

Why do pig valves fail?

This most commonly occurs when the valve cusps fail to open widely enough to let the blood through (aortic stenosis), or when it fails to close completely after the blood has left the heart, so that some blood leaks back in (aortic regurgitation).