Circulatory Problems

Question 1

What are the advantages and disadvantages of artificial hearts?

Answer 1

ADV.
-No need to wait for a donor
-No need to match tissue and no need for certain drugs, like with transplants
DIS.
-Big and impractical
-Expensive
-Less reliable

Question 2

What are the advantages and disadvantages of artificial heart valves?

Answer 2

ADV.
-They last for a long time
-No need for anaesthetics 
DIS.
-The patient needs to keep taking medication
-Expensive

Question 3

What are the advantages and disadvantages of stents?

Answer 3

ADV. (over bypass surgery)
-Low risk of complication
-No major surgery
-No anaesthetic
RISKS
-Arteries can re-narrow
-Stent thrombosis can happen (blood clots) can happen

Question 4

Why are artificial blood products needed?

Answer 4

The patient may require a blood type which is not available to them at that point in time. Therefore artificial blood must be used

Question 5

What are the advantages and disadvantages of artificial blood?

Answer 5

ADV.
-Can be stored out of a fridge
-Can extend life-time to allow a donor to be found or for body to recover
-No religious problems
-Always available 
DIS.
-Expensive
-Carries less oxygen
-Can cause side-effects
-Doesn't last long

Question 6

What can cause circulation to go wrong?

Answer 6

• Arteries can become narrow because of fat build up. Due to this, not enough blood is pumped to the heart, which can cause angina (chest pain). If fat breaks off, clots can cause heart attacks or strokes.
• Faulty valves can cause back flow of blood, and therefore breathlessness.