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Stay Informed
MITRAL REGURGITATION TREATMENT

MITRAL VALVE
REPLACEMENT

If you’re diagnosed with a leaky heart valve and your mitral valve cannot be repaired, your doctor may recommend mitral valve replacement with an artificial (prosthetic) valve. Two types of prosthetic mitral valves are available: mechanical or tissue valve. Each type of valve offers different benefits and risks, depending on your specific needs.

CHOOSING BETWEEN A
MECHANICAL VALVE OR A TISSUE VALVE

Mechanical Valve

Mechanical valves are made of strong, long-lasting materials such as carbon and metallic alloys and are designed to last for the rest of the patients’ life. However, patients are required to take daily blood-thinning medication for the rest of their lives to help prevent blood clots.1,2

Tissue Valve

Tissue valves are made with tissue from pig or cow heart tissue (or a combination of the two) and can possibly last up to 15 years, requiring another surgery or procedure to replace the valve if it wears out. Tissue valves do not usually require long-term use of blood thinners.1,2

DISCUSS ALL TREATMENT OPTIONS WITH YOUR DOCTOR
Your doctor can describe the risks and benefits and help you decide which option is right for you.

Age Groups

To determine what type of valve is best for you, your doctor will take many factors into consideration, such as your age, overall health, and medication requirements.1

  • Less than 50 years old

    A mechanical valve is recommended based on a review of current clinical evidence and a discussion with your doctor, especially if:

    • You are already taking a blood thinner for another health problem
    • You can safely take a blood thinner and are willing to do so


    A tissue valve may be recommended depending on your lifestyle.

  • Between 50 and 70 years of age

    The type of valve recommended will be based on a review of current clinical evidence and a discussion with your doctor.

  • Greater than 70 years old

    A tissue valve may be recommended with some exceptions depending on your clinical situation if:

    • You do not want to take a blood thinner or you cannot take it safely
    • You are willing to have another valve replacement procedure if the tissue valve wears out


    In rare cases, a mechanical heart valve may be recommended.3

Mitral Valve Replacement

See how patients like Zeke benefit from Mechanical Heart Valve therapy

A severe heart leak threatened Zeke’s life. After his heart valve replacement, he is now back on track to beat the odds, set a new personal best, and keep on soaring.

The information provided is not intended for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional advice. Consult with a physician or qualified healthcare provider for appropriate medical advice.

MOST PATIENTS CAN EXPECT
TO RETURN TO A NORMAL QUALITY AND LENGTH OF LIFE FOR THEIR AGE FOLLOWING SURGERY.4

MECHANICAL HEART VALVE
REPLACEMENT WITH MASTERS™ SERIES MECHANICAL HEART VALVE

The Masters Series Mechanical Heart Valve is made of a hard carbon material that offers unmatched strength and durability. A sewing cuff, made of medical grade fabric, is attached to the valve and allows the surgeon to sew the valve into place in the heart.

Long-term studies have shown that the Masters Series valve has notable longevity and may last for at least 30 years.5,6

TISSUE HEART VALVE REPLACEMENT
WITH EPIC™ PLUS MITRAL VALVE
 

The Epic Plus Mitral valve is a bioprosthetic valve made with both cow and pig tissue configured to maximize valve durability and mimic the function of a healthy human heart valve while minimizing immune system interaction.

The Epic Plus Mitral valve is designed to mimic the function of a natural, healthy heart valve. The length of time the Epic Plus Mitral valve will last depends on many factors, including your medical condition and age. Long-term studies of patients who received an Epic Plus Mitral valve showed excellent durability over time.7,8

MAT-2305139 v4.0 | Item approved for U.S. use only.

References
  1. Nishimura RA, Otto CM, Bonow RO, et al. 2017 AHA/ACC focused update of the 2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the management of patients with valvular heart disease. Circulation. 2017;135(25):e1159-e1195. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000503
  2. Harris C, Croce B, Cao C. Tissue and mechanical heart valves. Ann Cardiothorac Surg. 2015;4(4):399. doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2225-319X.2015.07.01
  3. Data on file at Abbott.
  4. Tan MK, Jarral OA, Thong EH, et al. Quality of life after mitral valve intervention. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2017;24(2):265-272. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivw312
  5. Saito S, Tsukui H, Iwasa S, et al. Bileaflet mechanical valve replacement: an assessment of outcomes with 30 years of follow-up. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2016;23(4):599-607. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivw196
  6. Emery RW, Krogh CC, Arom KV, et al. The St. Jude Medical cardiac valve prosthesis: a 25-year experience with single valve replacement. Ann Thorac Surg. 2005;79(3):776-783. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.08.047
  7. Lehmann S, Jawad, K, Meyer, A. Long-term follow-up after porcine xenograft mitral valve replacement. Presented at: 2017 American Association for Thoracic Surgery Mitral Conclave. April 27-28, 2017; New York, NY USA.
  8. Rodriguez, E. et. al. (2022, January). Ten-year Outcomes of a Contemporary Generation Low-profile Porcine Mitral Bioprosthesis in a Medicare Population. Poster presented at the 2022 STS Annual Meeting, Virtual.
Important Safety Information
  • EPIC PLUS
  • MASTERS SERIES

  • WHAT ARE THE EPIC™ PLUS VALVE AND EPIC™ PLUS SUPRA VALVE APPROVED FOR?
    Available by prescription only.

    The Epic™ Plus valve is for use in replacement of a native (natural) aortic and/or mitral heart valve that is diseased, damaged, or does not function properly. It may also be used to replace a previously implanted prosthetic aortic and/or mitral heart valve.

    The Epic™ Plus Supra valve is for use in replacement of a native (natural) aortic heart valve that is diseased, damaged, or does not function properly. It may also be used to replace a previously implanted prosthetic aortic heart valve.

    WHO SHOULD NOT RECEIVE THE EPIC™ PLUS VALVE OR EPIC™ PLUS SUPRA VALVE?

    There are no known contraindications with the use of the Epic™ Plus valve or Epic™ Plus Supra valve.

    WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE COMPLICATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE EPIC™ PLUS VALVE OR EPIC™ PLUS SUPRA VALVE?

    Potential adverse events that may occur during or after implantation of the Epic™ Plus valve or Epic™ Plus Supra valve include, but are not limited to: chest pain; loss of regular heart rhythm; infection or inflammation in the heart; failure of the heart to pump enough blood for the body’s needs; destruction of red blood cells; anemia caused by excessive destruction of red blood cells; excessive bleeding related to use of blood thinners; leak near the valve; heart attack; nonstructural destruction of the valve; valve unable to close completely, thus allowing blood to flow backward through the valve; stroke; structural deterioration (calcification, leaflet tear, perforation, or other); blood clot that blocks a vessel; formation of a blood clot near or attached to the valve.

    It is possible that these complications could lead to reoperation, surgical removal of the valve, permanent disability, or death.

    WHAT ARE THE WARNINGS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EPIC™ PLUS VALVE OR EPIC™ PLUS SUPRA VALVE?

    Faster deterioration of the Epic™ Plus valve and Epic™ Plus Supra valve may occur in children, adolescents, or young adults; patients with a disease that results in more calcium in the blood, such as hyperparathyroidism or chronic renal failure; or individuals requiring hemodialysis.
    Talk to your doctor to learn more about the risks associated with use of the Epic™ Plus valve or Epic™ Plus Supra valve.

  • WHAT IS THE SJM™ MASTERS SERIES MECHANICAL HEART VALVE APPROVED FOR?
    Available by prescription only.

    The SJM™ Masters Series Mechanical Heart Valve is for use in replacement of a native (natural) aortic or mitral heart valve that is diseased, damaged, or does not function properly. It may also be used to replace a previously implanted prosthetic aortic or mitral heart valve.

    WHO SHOULD NOT RECEIVE THE SJM™ MASTERS SERIES MECHANICAL HEART VALVE?

    Patients who are unable to tolerate blood-thinning medication should not receive the SJM™ Masters Series Mechanical Heart Valve.

    WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SJM™ MASTERS SERIES MECHANICAL HEART VALVE?

    Potential adverse events that may occur during or after implantation of the SJM™ Masters Series Mechanical Heart Valve include, but are not limited to: destruction of red blood cells; infections; blood clot that forms in a vein or blocks a vessel; breakdown of sutures that connect the valve to the heart; poor blood flow; excessive bleeding related to use of blood thinners; failure of the valve; heart failure; death.

    It is possible that these complications could lead to reoperation or surgical removal of the valve.

    Talk to your doctor to learn more about the risks associated with use of the SJM™ Masters Series Mechanical Heart Valve.

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MAT-2302755 v4.0  |   Item approved for U.S. use only.

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