Heart Valve Replacement

If one or more valves in your heart aren't working properly, blood will not flow through your heart correctly. This puts extra strain on your heart and can cause symptoms such as breathlessness and swollen ankles. Heart valve disease can cause your heart to pump less efficiently.

 

Heart valve surgery can stop or improve your symptoms, and may prevent permanent damage to your heart.

 

The operation is usually done under general anesthesia. The operation will take about three hours.

 

For heart valve replacement, one or more incisions are made in your chest. For minimally invasive valve surgery, these incisions are most often much smaller than those made for traditional valve surgery. One of two types of incisions may be used depending on the location of the valve and the method of surgery used.

 

Medication is used to temporarily stop your heart. Your blood will be diverted to a heart-lung (bypass) machine. This will add oxygen to your blood and maintain your circulation. Your surgeon will remove your diseased valve and sew in a prosthetic (artificial) valve. There are two types of valves - Mechanical valves and Biological valves.

 

Your surgeon will advise you which type of valve is appropriate for you.

 

After your valve has been replaced, your surgeon will restart your heart and blood will be allowed to flow back through your heart. Your sternum will be rejoined using wires and the skin on your chest will be closed with dissolvable stitches.

 

The surgery can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours or more, depending on the number of valves that need to be replaced. The surgery can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours or more, depending on the number of valves that need to be repaired. You can expect to stay in the hospital for about a week, including at least 1 to 3 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

 

Recovery after valve surgery may take a long time, depending on how healthy you were before the operation. You will have to rest and limit your activities. Your doctor may want you to begin an exercise program or to join a cardiac rehabilitation program.

 

To know more about heart valve replacement surgery, call us or use our online form.