About valve replacement surgery

Valve replacement surgery is a crucial medical procedure designed to address heart valve dysfunction. When heart valves deteriorate or become damaged, commonly due to conditions such as stenosis or regurgitation, they can hinder blood flow, leading to serious cardiac issues. During the surgery, the problematic valve is replaced with either a mechanical valve constructed from durable materials like titanium or a biological valve harvested from human or animal tissue. The choice between these options hinges on several factors including the patient's age, lifestyle, and health condition. This surgery's primary objective is to restore regular blood circulation, alleviate symptoms like chest pain and breathlessness, and enhance overall cardiac function. This goal holds true for various cardiac procedures, including the tavi procedure (transcatheter aortic valve implantation), used to treat aortic valve issues, and mitral valve replacement, which addresses problems with the mitral valve.

Nonetheless, patients with mechanical valves typically require long-term anticoagulant therapy and periodic follow-up evaluations to assess valve performance and general cardiac health. This is in contrast to newer methods like the tavr procedure (transcatheter aortic valve replacement), which has become an alternative option for certain individuals needing heart valve replacement. The aortic valve replacement surgery and subsequent mvr surgery involving a prosthetic valve dramatically improved the patient's heart function and overall health. The complex medical journey involved multiple procedures, including the avr surgery, mitral valve replacement surgery, and the innovative tavr heart procedure, each contributing to the patient's improved cardiac health.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis for cardiac valve replacement surgery involves a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's cardiac health. It begins with a thorough medical history review and physical examination. To confirm the need for valve replacement, various diagnostic tests are employed, including echocardiograms to assess valve function, electrocardiograms (ecgs) to evaluate heart rhythm, and cardiac catheterization for detailed imaging. Additionally, computed tomography (ct) and magnetic resonance imaging (mri) may provide additional insights. These tests help determine the type and severity of valve disease, guiding the decision to proceed with aorta replacement surgery, which is often considered when symptoms are severe, and conservative treatments prove inadequate.

Procedure

Heart valve operation, including atrial valve replacement, is a meticulous procedure performed under general anesthesia. The surgical team opens the chest through a sternotomy or minimally invasive approach. The heart is temporarily stopped, and the patient is connected to a heart-lung bypass machine, which maintains oxygenated blood circulation throughout the body.

During surgical aortic valve replacement, the damaged valve is carefully removed, and the prosthetic cardiac valve is securely implanted and sutured into place. This replacement valve can be mechanical or biological, depending on individual factors.

Once the new valve is in position and functioning correctly, the heart is restarted, and the patient is weaned off the bypass machine. The chest is closed, and the patient is monitored closely in the intensive care unit (icu) during the initial recovery phase. Post-operative care includes medications, rehabilitation, and follow-up assessments to ensure the success of the aortic heart valve replacement & heart valve transplant and avr replacement, as well as the patient's overall cardiac health.