artificial heart valve is a one-way valve implanted into the heart of a patient to replace a dysfunctional valve. Valves are actual flaps that are located on each end of the two ventricles (lower chambers of heart). Their main purpose is to keep blood flowing in one direction through the heart, and from the heart into the major blood vessels.

Heart valves can malfunction for a variety of reasons, which can impede the flow of blood through the valve (stenosis) and/or let blood flow backwards through the valve (regurgitation). Both processes put strain on the heart and may lead to serious problems, including heart failure and thus, require valve replacement.

Although some dysfunctional valves can be treated with drugs or repaired, others need to be replaced with an artificial valve. A valve-replacement (open-heart) surgery has to be performed to replace native heart valves. The main types of artificial heart valves are mechanical, bioprosthetic/tissue valves. Tissue valves are usually made from animal tissue. Artificial valves usually last from 10-20 years. Mechanical valves last longer than others (upto 30 years).