Which of the following is NOT a complication associated with prosthetic heart valves?

The correct response identifies high incidence of renal failure as not typically associated with prosthetic heart valves. Prosthetic heart valves can lead to various complications, but renal failure is not directly linked to the presence of the valve itself.

Hemolytic anemia can occur due to mechanical shear stress from blood passing through the artificial valve, particularly with certain types of prostheses that are known to cause turbulence. Systemic embolization is a concern due to the risk of thrombus formation on or near the valve, which can dislodge and travel to other organs, potentially leading to serious complications. Bleeding is another possible complication that can arise due to anticoagulation therapy required to prevent thrombus formation on the valve, as well as surgical factors related to the procedure of valve implantation.

In contrast, while renal failure can occur in cardiac patients for a variety of reasons, it is not exclusively or commonly a complication related specifically to the implantation of prosthetic heart valves. Thus, the identification of renal failure as not a complication associated with prosthetic heart valves is accurate and highlights the difference in complication profiles among various cardiac interventions.