St. Jude Silzone mechanical heart valves were recalled in January 2000 after clinical trials showed that the valves which had silver coating on the sewing cuffs were prone to leaking. This condition, known as paravalvular leakage, can make the heart a less effective pump which in turn can lead to heart failure. The Silzone technology was introduced in 1997. There were about 10,500 Silzone mechanical valves implanted in the United States and approximately 36,000 worldwide. The problem is apparently not with the mechanics of the valve but with the Silzone coated sewing cuff fabric.

There is a further concern expressed by a prominent UK surgeon that recipients of the Silzone heart valve may also be at added risk of thrombosis, thrombus formation and stroke. A thrombus formation is when a blood clot forms on the valve. Such a clot can affect the valve's operation and lead to loss of function. Thrombosis is a similar condition where blood clots form but move through the blood stream.

Patients with heart defects or disorders of the aortic or mitral valve may need a mechanical heart valve. Mechanical heart valves simulate real heart valves to maintain the proper flow of blood into and out of the heart. These patients must take anticoagulation medicine, like Warfarin (coumadin) to prevent deadly blood clots.

Register your Silzone Mechanical Heart Valve Complaint

If you or a loved one has suffered from a defective St. Jude Silzone mechanical heart valve and the Silzone heart valve was or must be replaced, you may qualify for damages. Please click the link below to submit your complaint to a lawyer.