An artificial heart valve is a device which is implanted in the heart of someone who suffers from a disease involving a valve in their heart. When one of the valves in the heart malfunctions, the choice is usually to replace the natural valve with an artificial valve.

Replacing the valves in the heart requires open heart surgery.

There are two types of artificial heart valves: mechanical valves and biological valves.

Mechanical heart valves are also called prosthetic heart valves. They are designed to replicate the function of normal heart valves. Modern mechanical valves can last indefinitely but they require lifelong treatment with anticoagulants, such as warfarin.

Biological valves are made of tissues, traditionally from pig heart valves. They have the benefit of improved blood flow and a reduced risk of clots forming so they do not require the lifelong use of warfarin. The disadvantage of these valves is that they last only about 15 years before they need replacing.