Artificial heart valves have been used to replace faulty or diseased heart valves for over 50 years. They have given extra years of life to hundreds of thousands of patients. Mechanical and bioprosthetic heart valves can be used and technology and techniques are constantly improving. In the spring of 2009, surgeons replaced a worn out mechanical heart valve with a more modern one in the heart of an elderly man using a keyhole technique for the first time ever – normally the operation requires full open heart surgery.

Why you need to prevent stroke if you have an artificial heart valve

Although an artificial heart valve controls the way blood enters and leaves the heart and quite closely mimics the shape of a natural valve, it does have the tendency to cause blood turbulence. This can cause a blood clot to form near to the surface of the valve, increasing the risk that part of that clot will break off and travel round the body. If it reaches the brain and lodges in one of the smaller blood vessels, it can cause a stroke. Patients with artificial heart valves therefore need to take blood thinning medication on a daily basis to prevent stroke.

Blood thinning agents and stroke prevention

Several blood thinning medicines are used routinely, including aspirin, warfarin and dipyramidole:

* Aspirin can thin blood by inhibiting one of the enzymes that causes platelets to stick together to initiate a blood clot.
* Warfarin prevents the conversion of vitamin K to an active form that encourages blood clotting.
* Dipyramidole is a blood thinning medicine that helps prevent platelets sticking together.


How to prevent stroke

Patients with artificial heart valves can prevent stroke by using one of these drugs, or a combination, to thin blood as it flows through the artificial valve. Patients who are prescribed dipyramidole need to take three to four regular doses each day, with perhaps a daily aspirin as well. For patients who hate swallowing tablets, Rosemont Pharmaceuticals produces an almond or menthol flavoured sugar-free liquid formulation of this blood thinning medication.

Precautionary measures when taking drugs that thin blood

If you are taking a drug to thin blood so that it flows more easily around an artificial heart valve, it stands to reason that blood flow elsewhere in the body will also be affected. This can cause problems if you are hurt or injured; even a small cut can bleed profusely and need medical attention. Patients taking blood thinning medication are advised to carry identification to alert paramedics in the event of an accident. Drugs that thin blood can also increase the risk of internal bleeding; any blood in vomit or stools or that is coughed up is a sign that something is seriously wrong.

Do you suffer from heart disease? You may be surprised to discover that there easy ways to take your medication that doesn’t involve swallowing tablets. You can find lots more information about the different medications if you suffer from swallowing difficulties at http://www.rosemontpharma.com

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