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Heart valve surgery - series


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Indications
Normal anatomyIndicationsProcedure, part 1Procedure, part 2Procedure, part 3Aftercare
Indications

Heart valve replacement may be recommended for:

  • narrowing of the heart valve (stenosis)
  • leaking of the heart valve

Valve problems may be caused by infections (rheumatic fever) or birth defects and may cause heart failure (congestive heart failure) and infections (infective endocarditis).

The surgery is done while the patient is deep-asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia). An incision is made through the breast bone (sternum).




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