Heart Valve Disease

Heart Valve Replacement Surgery in India - Procedure, Types and Recovery

This short explains heart valve replacement surgery. The procedure involves replacing a damaged or diseased heart valve with a mechanical or biological one to restore normal function.

Why heart valve replacement is done

Surgery may be recommended when a heart valve is damaged or diseased, affecting blood flow.

• Valve stenosis. This is when the valve flaps become stiff or fused, narrowing the valve opening and restricting blood flow out of the heart.
• Valve regurgitation. This occurs when the valve does not close properly, allowing blood to leak backwards. It is also known as a leaky valve.
• Common symptoms. Faulty valves can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, or swelling in the ankles and feet.
• Heart strain. Over time, a poorly functioning valve forces the heart to work harder, which can lead to more serious conditions like heart failure.

The surgical procedure

Heart valve replacement is a major operation usually performed under general anaesthesia.

• Surgical access. The surgeon can access the heart through a traditional incision in the chest (open-heart surgery) or sometimes through smaller, less invasive incisions.
• Heart-lung machine. During open-heart surgery, a bypass machine temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs, circulating blood through the body.
• Replacing the valve. The surgeon removes the damaged valve and carefully sews the new artificial valve into place.
• Recovery in hospital. After surgery, you will be monitored in an intensive care unit. Hospital stays typically last for about a week, followed by a period of recovery at home.

Types of replacement valves

There are two main types of artificial heart valves.

• Mechanical valves. These are made from durable materials like carbon and metal. They last a long time but require you to take lifelong blood-thinning medication to prevent clots.
• Biological valves. Also called tissue valves, these are made from animal or human tissue. They may not require lifelong blood thinners but can wear out over 10 to 20 years.
• Choosing a valve. The best type of valve for you depends on your age, overall health, lifestyle, and ability to take blood-thinning medication. This is decided with your surgeon.

Whether heart valve replacement is the right treatment for you depends on your individual condition and medical history. A final recommendation is always based on a specialist's review of your clinical reports and recent imaging.