Aortic Valve Replacement

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There are several different types of heart valve disorders and many different treatments available. Treatments could include lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery. In some cases, a blood … Read More

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Aortic Valve Replacement

There are several different types of heart valve disorders and many different treatments available. Treatments could include lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery.

In some cases, a blood thinner may be prescribed as part of your treatment. Blood thinners are medicines that help prevent blood clots.
Surgery to replace an aortic valve is done for aortic valve stenosis and aortic valve regurgitation. During this surgery, the damaged valve is removed and replaced with an artificial valve. The valve replacement is typically an open-heart surgery.

A minimally invasive surgery or a catheter procedure to replace the aortic valve may be an option for some people.

How is the surgery done?
During open-heart valve surgery, the doctor makes a large incision in the chest. Blood is circulated outside of the body through a machine to add oxygen to it (cardiopulmonary bypass or heart-lung machine). The heart may be cooled to slow or stop the heartbeat so that the heart is protected from damage while surgery is done to replace the valve with an artificial valve. The artificial valve might be mechanical (made of man-made substances). Others are made out of animal tissue, often from a pig.

Symptoms

  • Aortic valve regurgitation : If your chronic regurgitation is getting worse you will likely have surgery. You might have surgery before you get symptoms, especially if your regurgitation is getting worse. If you have acute regurgitation, surgery will likely be done right away.
  • Aortic valve stenosis : Valve replacement is recommended based on many things, including how severe the stenosis is, whether you have symptoms, and how well your heart is pumping blood. It is typically recommended when a person has severe stenosis.

Causes

  • Aortic valve regurgitation occurs when blood flows backward through the aortic valve into the left ventricle each time the ventricle relaxes rather than in the normal, one-way direction from the ventricle to the aorta.
    Back flow may be caused by a dysfunctional or leaky valve. This may be due to deterioration of the valve, an abnormal valve shape present at birth (congenital heart disease) or by a bacterial infection.
  • Aortic valve stenosis causes the aortic valve to become narrowed or obstructed, which makes it harder for the heart pump blood into the aorta. This may be caused by congenital heart disease, thickening of the valve's closure flaps (cusps) or post-inflammatory changes, such as those associated with rheumatic heart disease.
  • Congenital heart disease may contribute to aortic valve regurgitation or stenosis as well as result in other problems that prevent the aortic valve from working properly. For example, a person may be born with an aortic valve that doesn't have enough tissue flaps (cusps), the valve may be the wrong size or shape, or there may not be an opening to allow blood to flow normally (atresia).

FAQ

What is aortic valve replacement?
Aortic valve replacement is a procedure that treat diseases affecting the aortic valve. Aortic valve replacement can treat aortic valve disease and help restore normal blood flow, reduce symptoms, prolong life and help preserve the function of your heart muscle.

What are the conditions in which this procedure is performed?
Aortic valve regurgitation occurs when blood flows backward through the aortic valve into the left ventricle each time the ventricle relaxes rather than in the normal, one-way direction from the ventricle to the aorta.
Back flow may be caused by a dysfunctional or leaky valve. This may be due to deterioration of the valve, an abnormal valve shape present at birth (congenital heart disease) or by a bacterial infection.
Aortic valve stenosis causes the aortic valve to become narrowed or obstructed, which makes it harder for the heart pump blood into the aorta. This may be caused by congenital heart disease, thickening of the valve's closure flaps (cusps) or post-inflammatory changes, such as those associated with rheumatic heart disease.
Congenital heart disease may contribute to aortic valve regurgitation or stenosis as well as result in other problems that prevent the aortic valve from working properly. For example, a person may be born with an aortic valve that doesn't have enough tissue flaps (cusps), the valve may be the wrong size or shape, or there may not be an opening to allow blood to flow normally (atresia).

What are the various treatment modalities available for valvular defect?
There are several different types of heart valve disorders and many different treatments available. Treatments could include lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery.
In some cases, a blood thinner may be prescribed as part of your treatment. Blood thinners are medicines that help prevent blood clots.

How is this procedure performed?
During open-heart valve surgery, the doctor makes a large incision in the chest. Blood is circulated outside of the body through a machine to add oxygen to it (cardiopulmonary bypass or heart-lung machine). The heart may be cooled to slow or stop the heartbeat so that the heart is protected from damage while surgery is done to replace the valve with an artificial valve.
The artificial valve might be mechanical (made of man-made substances). Others are made out of animal tissue, often from a pig.

What are types of valve replacement procedure?
Annuloplasty -An annuloplasty is a procedure to tighten or reinforce the ring (annulus) around a valve in the heart. It may be done during other procedures to repair a heart valve.
Valvuloplasty – A valvuloplasty, also known as balloon valvuloplasty or balloon valvotomy, is a procedure to repair a heart valve that has a narrowed opening.

What are the risks associated with this procedure?
Risks associated with aortic valve repair and aortic valve replacement surgery may include: Bleeding, blood clots, valve dysfunction, arrythmias, infection, stroke etc.