Antithrombotic Therapy Considerations in Mechanical and Bioprosthetic Cardiac Valves
by Yi Kan Leung, PharmD
Valvular heart disease is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. The prevalence is high, at about 25% of the general population, and projected to increase in the coming decades. There are four valves in the heart: the tricuspid, pulmonic, mitral, and aortic valves. Blood from the body flows into the right atrium, passes through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle, then is sent through the pulmonary valve into the lungs for gas exchange. After being oxygenated through the lungs, the blood then returns to the left atrium, passes through the mitral valve into the left ventricle, and is pushed through the aortic valve to the whole body. The cardiac valves prevent back-flow between the heart chambers and maintain the pressure gradients necessary for hemodynamic circulation.
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2024 September/October Table of Contents
Valvular heart disease is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. The prevalence is high, at about 25% of the general population, and projected to increase in the coming decades. There are four valves in the heart: the tricuspid, pulmonic, mitral, and aortic valves. Blood from the body flows into the right atrium, passes through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle, then is sent through the pulmonary valve into the lungs for gas exchange. After being oxygenated through the lungs, the blood then returns to the left atrium, passes through the mitral valve into the left ventricle, and is pushed through the aortic valve to the whole body. The cardiac valves prevent back-flow between the heart chambers and maintain the pressure gradients necessary for hemodynamic circulation.
Download PDF
2024 September/October Table of Contents