MyHeartDiseaseTeam

Currently, heart valve replacements primarily come in two forms: mechanical valves and biological valves. Biological valves are typically made from either pig (porcine) or cow (bovine) tissue, with about 45% of valve replacements using these biological options. While these have been proven safe and effective over 50+ years Show Full Answer

Currently, heart valve replacements primarily come in two forms: mechanical valves and biological valves. Biological valves are typically made from either pig (porcine) or cow (bovine) tissue, with about 45% of valve replacements using these biological options. While these have been proven safe and effective over 50+ years of use, they typically last 10-20 years before potentially needing replacement. The scaffold-based valve technology represents an innovative advancement in heart valve replacement. Unlike traditional biological valves that simply replace the damaged tissue, these new scaffolds are designed to work with the patient's own body. As the scaffold dissolves over time, it allows the patient's cells to grow and create a new, living valve structure. This approach could potentially offer a more natural and longer-lasting solution compared to current biological valve options that eventually break down.

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