Donated Heart Valves

What are Heart Valves?

The heart contains four chambers, and as blood exits each chamber, it passes through a valve. Of the four valves, the aortic and pulmonary valves can be donated after death and used in life-saving and life-enhancing transplants.

• Aortic Valve: Controls blood flow from the heart into the aorta, the body’s main artery.
• Pulmonary Valve: Controls blood flow from the heart into the pulmonary artery, which carries blood to the lungs.

How are Donated Heart Valves Used?

Donated heart valves are essential in two major types of procedures:

• Heart Valve Replacement Surgery: Donated valves are used to replace absent, damaged, or malfunctioning heart valves in infants, children, and adults. This procedure restores proper blood flow and improves heart function.
• Reconstructive Cardiac Surgery: Donor heart valves can also be converted into patches to repair congenital or acquired heart defects. This procedure helps patients with congenital heart disease by reconstructing malformed areas of the heart.

Benefits of Donated Heart Valves

Using donated heart valves in transplants offers several key benefits:

• Decreased Risk of Infection: Donated human valves carry a lower risk of causing infections compared to synthetic or mechanical alternatives.
• Reduced Need for Blood Thinners: Unlike mechanical valves, human donor valves do not require lifelong blood-thinning medication.
• Improved Blood Flow: Donated valves provide better integration with the body’s natural systems, improving overall blood circulation.