Mechanical Valve Replacement
Mechanical valve replacement became popular in the 1980s as the primary solution to a defective valve. The mechanical heart valve is resilient and remain in working condition for the lifetime of the patient. However, a major drawback to mechanical valve replacement is the requirement of lifelong blood thinners. Anticoagulants are necessary in order to keep the mechanical valve functioning properly. Anticoagulants can be dangerous to patients resulting in bleeding complications, especially if the patient were to get into an accident with blood loss. Due to these serious setbacks mechanical valve replacement is no longer the primary solution to MR.