The four valves of your heart work relentlessly, beating about 100,000 times a day for you. Each valve acts like a one way door, opening to let blood flow through and then closing to prevent it from flowing backward.
But when these valves fail to perform their primary function, the consequences can be life threatening.
When a heart valve becomes damaged or diseased and can no longer be repaired, it may need to be replaced with either a mechanical (artificial) valve or a biological (tissue) valve to restore proper heart function. This procedure is called heart valve replacement surgery.
The whole point of this procedure is getting blood flowing normally through the heart again, and reduce the extra strain off the cardiac muscle.
There are two common disease patterns that may lead to surgery:
Both conditions should not be ignored, as they can increase the risk of heart failure, arrhythmia, or stroke.
As mentioned earlier, there are two types of replacement valves. Let’s look at the differences between the two.
Symptoms of heart valve problems show up gradually. If you experience any of these signs frequently, consult a cardiac specialist timely.
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, an echocardiogram and a cardiology evaluation can help identify whether valve disease is the cause and assess how severe the condition is.
What kind of surgery you need depends on which valve is affected, your overall health, age, and the severity of the disease.
This is the traditional surgical procedure used for managing most valve conditions, especially when multiple valves are affected. It is the most effective approach that usually requires a hospital stay of around 5 to 7 days.
TAVR is considered a less invasive procedure. It is commonly recommended for elderly patients or those at high risk for open heart surgery. It is primarily used to treat aortic stenosis and generally involves a shorter recovery period.
This surgical method uses smaller incisions compared to traditional open heart surgery. It is suitable for patients who prefer a lower surgical risk and faster recovery.
This is a more technically advanced and minimally invasive surgical approach that is generally used for selected mitral valve repair. This procedure is done very carefully with minimal scarring. It helps in faster healing.
The CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, is equipped to perform all major heart valve procedures with the expertise of highly skilled cardiac specialists and surgeons.
Before the surgery, a thorough cardiac examination is done to check your heart’s current condition and plan for the procedure safely. You may be asked for:
Patients are also advised to stop certain medications, fast before surgery, and undergo any dental treatments beforehand to reduce infection risk. A dedicated pre-anaesthesia consultation is part of the preparation process.
The exact approach depends on your condition and what your cardiologist recommends. Generally, the procedure follows these steps:
Step 1: The patient is given anaesthesia to ensure comfort during the procedure.
Step 2: Doctors reach the damaged valve either through surgery or using a catheter-based approach.
Step 3: The faulty valve is replaced with a new artificial or tissue valve.
Step 4: The medical team confirms that the new valve is functioning properly.
Step 5: After the procedure, the patient is closely monitored in the ICU.
We, at the CK Birla Hospital, have a dedicated cardiac surgery programme that handles both routine and complex valve cases. We offer:
If you have any concerns regarding your heart health and want to get checked thoroughly, simply book an appointment at the CK Birla Hospital to speak with our cardiac care team today.
The main types are:
The right approach depends on which valve is affected and the patient’s overall health.
A full recovery may take 6 to 12 weeks, depending on your age, overall health, and the type of procedure.
As with any major cardiac surgery, there are risks included like bleeding, infection, stroke, abnormal heart rhythms, and reactions to anaesthesia. The risk level varies based on the patient’s age, existing health conditions, and surgical approach. Your cardiac team will discuss your individual risk profile in detail before any procedure.
