When it comes to heart valve replacement surgery, there are two types of valves available for patients and surgeons to choose from: mechanical and biologic. What are the characteristics of each of these two types of valves and how do they differ from each other? They differ in three main ways. First, longevity. Mechanical valves have a very long life span and can be used for life, that is, as long as the patient lives. The life span of biological valves is relatively shorter. The life span of the first generation biological valves is about 10 years, the life span of the third generation valves is about 15-20 years, and the life span of the third generation biological valves is about 25-30 years. Second, in terms of anticoagulation therapy. Mechanical valves require long-term lifelong anticoagulation therapy, which means that you have to take anticoagulants all the time. Biologic valves, on the other hand, require only half a year of anticoagulant medication and do not require long-term anticoagulant medication. Third, it is mainly in terms of price. The price of a mechanical valve is relatively cheaper, while the price of a biological valve is much more expensive. The price of a three-generation biological valve is about 60,000 yuan, while the price of a mechanical valve is about 20,000 yuan.