Blood Clot Formation After Cardiac Valve Replacement

Overview

Blood clot formation is a common complication after a valve replacement procedure mostly occurs in the metallic valve replacements. However, there are emerging studies saying that even bioprosthetic valve now has approximately 15-20% of risk causing a blood clot. Blood clots occur in valve replacement patients because of the surface of the replaced valve especially the metallic valve which damages the red blood cell when the cells pass the valve causing a breakdown of red blood cells and thus releasing clotting factors. This causes the red blood cells' ability to attach to each other easily forming a blood clot. Besides that, these clots can also lodge in the valve flaps or hinges and causes malfunction. These clots can even break and travel as embolism causing conditions such as stroke also. Hence why lifelong anticoagulation therapy is given for patients who had valve replacement surgery.