Aortic valve replacement gives you a new aortic heart valve. The new valve may be mechanical or made of animal tissue. You and your doctor can decide before surgery which type of valve is best for you.
The aortic valve opens and closes to keep blood flowing in the proper direction through your heart. When the aortic valve does not close properly, it's called aortic valve regurgitation. If the valve is very tight and narrow, it's called aortic valve stenosis. In both of these cases, blood does not flow through the heart the right way.
You will be asleep during the surgery. In an open-chest surgery, your doctor will make a cut in the skin over your breastbone (sternum). This cut is called an incision. Then the doctor will cut through your sternum to reach your heart. In a less invasive surgery, your doctor will make a cut between your ribs. Your sternum is not cut.
The doctor will connect you to a heart-lung bypass machine. It adds oxygen to your blood and moves the blood through your body. This machine will allow the doctor to stop your heartbeat and replace the valve.
After the doctor has replaced your aortic valve, the doctor will restart your heartbeat. Then the doctor may use wire to put your sternum back together. Your incision will be closed with stitches or staples. The wire will stay in your chest. The incision will leave a scar that may fade with time.
You may stay in the hospital for a few days after surgery.
Valve replacement surgery helps relieve symptoms and prevent heart failure. And it helps people live longer.
Valve replacement surgery is an effective treatment for people who have severe aortic valve stenosis. Surgery can relieve symptoms, improve your quality of life, and help you live longer.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
The risks of aortic valve replacement surgery vary depending on your age and general health before surgery. Younger, healthy people have a lower risk of problems, while older people with other health problems have a higher risk.
In general, the risks include:
You and your doctor can talk about many things to see if you want to have aortic valve replacement surgery. Together, you can weigh the benefits of surgery against your risks.
You may decide to have surgery if the regurgitation is bad enough that it can or has damaged your heart.
To help you decide, your doctor may check:
If you are having another heart surgery, such as bypass surgery, you may choose to have valve replacement at the same time.
If your condition has been getting worse slowly, you may choose to wait a little longer before you have a valve replacement.
You will recover in the hospital until you are healthy enough to go home. Depending on your overall health, you may go home a few days after surgery.
Surgery will likely involve a long recovery over several weeks. You will probably need to take 4 to 12 weeks off from work. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel. In some cases, full recovery may take several months.
Your doctor may suggest that you attend a cardiac rehab program. In cardiac rehab, a team of health professionals provides education and support to help you recover and prevent problems with your heart. Ask your doctor if rehab is right for you.
You have had surgery to replace your heart's aortic valve. Your doctor did the surgery through a cut, called an incision, in your chest.
You will feel tired and sore for the first few weeks after surgery. You may have some brief, sharp pains on either side of your chest. Your chest, shoulders, and upper back may ache. The incision in your chest may be sore or swollen. These symptoms usually get better after 4 to 6 weeks.
You will probably be able to do many of your usual activities after 4 to 6 weeks. But for at least 6 weeks, you will not be able to lift heavy objects or do activities that strain your chest or upper arm muscles. At first you may notice that you get tired easily and need to rest often. It may take 1 to 2 months to get your energy back.
Some people find that they are more emotional after this surgery. You may cry easily or show emotion in ways that are unusual for you. This is common and may last for up to a year. Some people get depressed after this surgery. Talk with your doctor if you have sadness that continues or you are concerned about how you are feeling. Treatment and other support can help you feel better.
Even though you have a new aortic valve, it is still important to eat a heart-healthy diet, get regular exercise, stay at a healthy weight, take your medicine, and not smoke. Your doctor may suggest that you attend a cardiac rehab program. In cardiac rehab, a team of health professionals provides education and support to help you recover and prevent problems with your heart. Ask your doctor if rehab is right for you.
The valve replacement is typically an open-heart surgery.
During open-heart valve surgery, the doctor makes a large cut (incision) in the chest. Blood is circulated outside of the body through a machine to add oxygen to it (cardiopulmonary bypass or heart-lung machine). The heart may be cooled to slow or stop the heartbeat. This protects the heart from damage while surgery is done to replace the valve with a new valve.
The replacement valve might be mechanical (made of man-made substances). Others are made out of animal tissue.
A minimally invasive surgery or a catheter procedure to replace the aortic valve may be an option for some people.
If your chronic regurgitation is getting worse and you have symptoms, you may choose to have surgery. You might have surgery before you get symptoms, especially if your regurgitation is getting worse. If you have acute regurgitation, surgery will likely be done right away.
Valve replacement is recommended based on many things including how severe the stenosis is, whether you have symptoms, and how well your heart is pumping blood. It is typically recommended when a person has severe stenosis.
Valve replacement surgery is done to help you feel better and live longer. Surgery to repair the aortic valve may be done in certain cases.
To help decide if you want surgery, you and your doctor will look at your overall health, your heart health, and how bad your regurgitation is.
Your doctor may check:
If you have surgery, you can choose a mechanical or tissue valve to replace your heart valve.
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