2007-10-30 17:04:22 · 7 answers · asked by FRANsuFU 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
Some good answers here but there are at least two other reasons. A mechanical valve is harder on the red blood cells, and some valves are prone to cause hemolysis, the excessive breakdown of RBC's. This can lead to hemolytic anemia, jaundice and development of bilirubin stones in the gall bladder. Then there is the clotting issue and need to take anticoagulants.
In addition to the rejection issue, animal valves have a tendency to calcify over time, thus causing further malfunction.
However, there are situations where a person's valve may not be repairable, so a mechanical or donor valve is used.
2007-10-31 02:36:22 · answer #1 · answered by greydoc6 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a repaired valve is preferable to a replacement valve because the replacement valve would either have to be another persons ( or animals) and have different protein markers than your regular cells and would be rejected unless from a close relative. This would require intesive therapy with anti-rejection drugs which compromise your immune system while your on them, making you more prone to infection. Once you slow down the regimine or are able to quit the anti-rejection drugs you still have a chance of rejection by the body. This is why it is preferable to be able to repair the heart if possbile.
2007-10-30 17:23:27 · answer #2 · answered by Karen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A mechanical valve replacement requires anticoagulation (blood thinners) to prevent clots.
It is also faster to repair a valve than to remove one and put in a new one. The shorter time on the table, the better in general.
2007-10-30 20:36:30 · answer #3 · answered by Howard H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The body won't (ordinarily) attack its own cells, and valve is less likely to be infected in some way if it has not left the body at all.
A replacement valve from another person will have different cell markers, and the body may attack them as a foreign substance. The drugs used to suppress this response often cause many auxiliary problems, and the person has to be on them for the rest of their life. Bringing in material from another place also heightens the risk of infections and complications.
2007-10-30 17:14:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A replacement valve is foreign material. This will result in an attempt by the immune system to reject it. Immuno-suppression therapy may be necessary. Rejection, obviously, is not an issue with a repaired valve.
2007-10-30 17:13:58 · answer #5 · answered by Doctor J 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Replacement valve may be rejected.
2007-10-30 18:55:45 · answer #6 · answered by J.SWAMY I ఇ జ స్వామి 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
someone I know had a replacement valve ( titanium) in 1993 and is doing just fine with it ... no troubles what so ever
2007-10-30 18:03:10 · answer #7 · answered by cherrihill 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋