Artificial heart valve with ball-valve design; requires chronic anticoagulation of patient. Heart valve lasts longer than tissue valves but is not indicated in women of child-bearing age because of teratogenic effects of warfarin (Coumadin).
InsideSurgery Medical Information Blog
Details of surgical procedures, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, and treatment of medical diseases,medical and surgical eponyms, and surgeons and surgery in the news