Flashcards on Artificial Heart, Valves, and Blood
Artificial Heart, Valves, & Blood: Student Study Guide
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Cardiovascular Devices and Treatments
11 cards
Card 1
Question: What is an artificial heart and when is it typically used?
Answer: A mechanical device that pumps blood for a person whose heart has failed; usually used temporarily to keep someone alive until a donor heart is found
Card 2
Question: Why are artificial hearts less likely to be rejected by the body than donor hearts?
Answer: They are made from metals or plastics, so the immune system is less likely to recognise and attack them compared with living donor tissue.
Card 3
Question: List three main risks or limitations associated with artificial hearts.
Answer: Surgery can cause bleeding and infection; mechanical parts can wear out or fail; less smooth blood flow can cause clots and strokes, requiring blood-t
Card 4
Question: Why do patients with artificial hearts often need to take blood-thinning drugs?
Answer: Because blood flow through artificial hearts is less smooth, increasing the risk of blood clots and strokes, so anticoagulants are used to reduce clot
Card 5
Question: What causes heart valves to need replacement?
Answer: Valves can be damaged or weakened by heart attacks, infection, or old age, causing stiffness (not opening properly) or leakage (allowing blood to flow
Card 6
Question: What are the two main types of replacement heart valves and where do they come from?
Answer: Biological valves (from humans or other mammals like cows or pigs) and mechanical valves (man-made devices).
Card 7
Question: How does valve replacement surgery compare to whole heart transplant in invasiveness?
Answer: Replacing a valve is much less drastic than a whole heart transplant, though it is still major surgery with potential problems like blood clots.
Card 8
Question: What is the primary purpose of artificial blood (fluid volume replacement) in an emergency?
Answer: To replace lost blood volume so the heart can continue to pump remaining red blood cells and deliver oxygen to organs, keeping the patient alive until
Card 9
Question: What is a simple example of an artificial blood volume substitute and what is a key safety concern?
Answer: A salt solution (saline) is used to replace blood volume; a key safety concern is ensuring no air bubbles enter the bloodstream.
Card 10
Question: How much red blood cell loss can artificial volume replacement (saline) potentially allow a patient to survive through?
Answer: It can keep people alive even if they lose up to two-thirds of their red blood cells, potentially giving time to produce new cells or receive a transf