Heart Valve Replacement: Procedure & Risks Overview: The heart is a crucial organ in our body that does a tireless job of pumping blood throughout the body and keeping our organs functioning properly. The heart consists of four parts - two ventricles at the bottom of the heart and two atria at the top. A septum separates the two upper chambers of the heart and prevents the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Heart failure can occur in either the left or right side of your heart and possibly on both sides. Heart failure is most often caused by coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension and disorders of the heart valves. Though all types of heart disease can’t be cured, most of them are very treatable nowadays. In case of heart valve failure, the diseased heart valves can be replaced through heart valve surgery. What is the function of the heart valves? The heart has four valves which control blood flow from the atria to the ventricles. A heart valve keeps the blood flow in only one direction through the heart and prevents backward flow. When a heart valve fails, it does not close tightly. In this state, some blood will leak backwards across the valve and cause difficulty in pumping the blood.
What happens in heart valve replacement surgery? During heart valve replacement surgery, the surgeon repairs or replaces the damaged heart valves. Aortic valve replacement can be performed through traditional open-heart surgery or through minimally invasive methods that involve smaller incisions in the body. The aortic valve surgery can take anywhere between 2-4 hours or more based on the number of valves that need to be replaced. What are the risks involved in heart valve replacement surgery? Heart valve surgery is a major operation that is done only at certain hospitals. No surgery is risk-free and the potential risks of heart valve repair or replacement surgery include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Excessive bleeding Blood clots, heart attack or stroke Infection Temporary kidney problems Problems in breathing Abnormal heart rhythms Valve dysfunction And in certain extreme cases, death
The success of the treatment depends on many factors like your age, lifestyle and the severity of the heart valve disease.