Endocarditis infections and rheumatic fever are the most common cause of damage to the heart. If a heart valve is sufficiently damaged it may be replaced by an artificial valve. Replacement Options Heart valve replacement is one of the most common heart surgeries, and generally the replacement has a very high success rate. One or all of the four heart valves may become leaky or stenoic. If the problem is severe it may be replaced to restore normal heart function.
Rheumatic fever is most frequent cause of severe valve malfunction.
Mechanical valves last longer than the porcine or human tissue valves, but mechanical valves may lead to the formation of blood clots.