Surgical Valve Repair and Replacement
Surgical Valve repair and replacement
Surgical valve repair and replacement are surgical procedures used to correct issues with the heart’s valves, which regulate blood flow through the heart. These procedures are typically recommended for patients with conditions such as valve stenosis (narrowing of the valve) or valve regurgitation (leaking valve).
Surgical valve repair or replacement aims to restore normal blood flow and improve heart function. If the heart’s valves don’t function properly, it can lead to symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, or heart failure. Valve repair focuses on preserving the patient’s natural valve and involves techniques such as reshaping the valve, repairing tears, or tightening loose tissue. Valve replacement, on the other hand, involves removing the damaged valve and replacing it with either a mechanical valve (made from synthetic materials) or a biological valve (made from animal tissue). The choice between repair and replacement depends on the severity of the valve damage and the patient’s overall health. Both procedures can be done through traditional open-heart surgery or minimally invasive techniques, depending on the patient’s condition.
Preparing for your visit
The procedure will take place at a cardiac operating room at the hospital. You will be given a check in time and have consultation with the surgical team before the procedure.
Valve repair and replacement is typically completed within 2 to 4 hours however we recommend speaking to your specialist about hospital preparation and recovery time.
- Before surgery, the patient is brought to the operating room, where an intravenous (IV) line is inserted to administer fluids and medications.
- Please note that in many cases, the patient is connected to a heart-lung machine, to help take over function of the heart and lungs during the procedure. This machine keeps oxygenated blood flowing through the body while the heart is temporarily stopped, allowing the surgeon to work on the valve.
- The patient will be placed under general anaesthesia, to ensure that they are fully asleep and feel no pain during the procedure.
- The surgeon will make an incision down the middle of the chest to actress the heart.
- If a valve repair is possible, the surgeon may reshape, trim, or patch the valve. Techniques may include adding a ring around the valve to support its structure (annuloplasty), repairing tears or holes, or reshaping the valve tissue to improve its function.If the valve is too damaged to be repaired, it will be removed and replaced with either a mechanical valve (made of synthetic materials) or a biological valve (typically made from cow, pig, or human donor tissue). The choice of valve depends on the patient’s condition, age, and lifestyle factors.
- Once the repair or replacement is complete, the heart is restarted and the heart-lung machine is gradually turned off as the heart resumes its normal function.
- The surgeon will ensure that the valve is functioning properly and is allowing blood to flow in the correct direction.
- Then the surgeon will close the incision and the patient is taken for recovery.
Valve repair and replacement surgeries require general anaesthesia to ensure the patient is fully asleep and comfortable throughout the procedure. An anesthesiologist will be present to monitor the patient’s vital signs and ensure their safety during the surgery.
