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A prosthetic valve is a replacement heart valve that is surgically implanted into a person’s heart to treat a diseased or damaged native heart valve. It is made of either bioprosthetic material (e.g. animal tissue) or man-made materials (e.g. metal or plastic). The goal of a prosthetic valve is to restore the normal flow of blood through the heart and improve the person’s quality of life. Some common types of prosthetic valves include mechanical valves and tissue valves. The type of valve used depends on several factors including the patient’s age, overall health, and lifestyle.
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