Monday, June 04, 2012

Heart valve surgery

Table of Contents

Why the Procedure Is Performed

You may need surgery if your valve does not work properly.

  • A valve that does not close all the way will allow blood to leak backwards. This is called regurgitation.
  • A valve that does not open fully will restrict blood flow. This is called stenosis.

You may need heart valve surgery for these reasons:

  • Changes in your heart valve are causing major heart symptoms, such as chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, fainting spells (syncope), or heart failure.
  • Tests show that the changes in your heart valve are beginning to seriously affect your heart function.
  • Your doctor wants to replace or repair your heart valve at the same time as you are having open heart surgery for another reason.
  • Your heart valve has been damaged by infection of the heart valve (endocarditis).
  • You have received a new heart valve in the past, and it is not working well, or you have other problems such as blood clots, infection, or bleeding.

Some of the heart valve problems treated with surgery are:

  • Aortic insufficiency
  • Aortic stenosis
  • Mitral regurgitation - acute
  • Mitral regurgitation - chronic
  • Mitral stenosis
  • Mitral valve prolapse
  • Pulmonary valve stenosis
  • Tricuspid regurgitation

Before the Procedure

For more information, see:

  • Aortic valve surgery - minimally invasive
  • Aortic valve surgery - open
  • Mitral valve surgery - minimally invasive
  • Mitral valve surgery - open

After the Procedure

For more information, see:

  • Aortic valve surgery - minimally invasive
  • Aortic valve surgery - open
  • Mitral valve surgery - minimally invasive
  • Mitral valve surgery - open

The average hospital stay is 5 - 7 days. Complete recovery will take a few weeks to several months, depending on your health before surgery.


Outlook (Prognosis)

The success rate of heart valve surgery is high. The operation can relieve your symptoms and prolong your life.

Mechanical heart valves do not often fail. Artificial valves last an average of 8 - 20 years, depending on the type of valve. However, blood clots can develop on these valvves. If a blood clot forms, you may have a stroke. Bleeding can occur, but this is rare.

The clicking of mechanical heart valves may be heard in the chest. This is normal.


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Review Date: 05/17/2010
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)