What is Aortic Valve Repair or Replacement?

The aortic valve is one of the four valves that directs blood flow from the heart. It opens to allow blood to flow out and closes to direct blood in the correct direction. In aortic valve disease, the valve doesn't close as it should, and blood can leak backward (regurgitation) or become restricted (steno-sis).

To correct these issues, surgeons can do aortic valve surgery, which repairs or replaces the valve. Aortic valve surgery can be accomplished in several ways: non-invasive, minimally invasive, or by open-heart surgery. Depending on your unique health condition, the method performed will vary.

Minimally invasive techniques tend to be utilized. One example is transcatheter aortic valve replacement or TAVR. This treats the aortic valve without eradicating the old, affected valve. It rather inserts a new valve where the old valve was. This TAVR technique employs the use of a catheter with a replacement valve, much in the same manner as a stent in a blood vessel is used.

How to Prepare for the Aortic Valve Repair and Replacement Procedure?

Before your procedure, your care team and doctor will tell you what to anticipate beforehand, during, and after the procedure and possible risks. Please speak with your doctor regarding the following:

• All prescription and over-the-counter medicines, herbal preparations, and dietary supplements that you take. Seek guidance on each.
• For those with diabetes, ask how to change your medication on the procedure day.
• Radiation exposure, particularly if you are pregnant.
• Any drug allergies, latex, tape, iodine, or anesthetics.
• Any bleeding disorders.
• Any implanted devices, such as a pacemaker or ICD.
• Any body piercings on your abdomen or chest.

Other suggestions are:

• Have a regular meal the evening before your procedure. Do not eat, drink, or chew anything after midnight prior to your procedure. Take medications only with small amounts of water if necessary.
• Leave all jewelry behind.
• Eliminate all cosmetics and nail color.
• Bring comfortable clothes to the hospital.
• If you have dentures, glasses, or hearing aids, arrange to wear them for the procedure.

What to Expect Before the Aortic Valve Repair and Replacement Procedure?

Prior to your procedure, your physician can perform one or more of the following tests:

• Cardiac catheterization
• CT scan (computed tomography)
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
• X-rays
• Echocardiogram (ECHO)
• Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG)
• Stress test

What to Expect During the Aortic Valve Repair and Replacement Procedure?

Although minimally invasive procedures are generally the preferred choice, there are patients who require open-heart surgery. It typically takes 2 to 4 hours, but preparation and recovery may add several hours. It is performed in a cardiothoracic operating room. Consult your doctor for information about your individual procedure.

Here's what usually happens:

• You will be dressed into a hospital gown.
• A nurse will insert an intravenous (IV) line into your arm to administer medications and fluids during the operation.
• Prior to the procedure, you will be given a local anesthetic. After sedation, your physician may insert a breathing tube into your throat and attach it to a ventilator to assist you in breathing throughout the operation.
• Your physician will give general anesthesia to make you drowsy.

The procedure begins when your physician cuts your breastbone (sternum) in half. This gives access to your heart. Because your heart must remain stationary during the operation, your doctor will insert tubes into your heart so that blood may flow through your body with a heart-lung machine. This machine replaces the pumping action of your heart and puts oxygen into your blood.

Once your blood is flowing through the bypass machine, your doctor will stop your heart by injecting it with a cold solution.

If your valve is being repaired:

When your heart has stopped, your doctor will repair your aortic valve. The options for repair include:

• Inserting tissue to patch holes or tears in the valve flaps.
• Adding support to the base or roots of the valve.
• Separating any fused valve cusps.
• Shaping or cutting away tissue to assist the valve in closing tightly.
• Tightening or stabilizing the valve ring by inserting an artificial ring.

If your valve is being replaced:

While your heart is stopped, your physician will take out the aortic valve and replace it with either a mechanical valve or one constructed from cow, pig, or human heart tissue.

Once the valve has been fixed or replaced, the physician will check to make sure everything is functioning as it should. Next, the blood running through the bypass machine will be pumped back into your heart. If your heart fails to resume beating on its own, an electric shock is used to try and restart it. Your physician can also place temporary wires within your heart for pacing, which can be connected to a pacemaker if necessary, during recovery.

After the procedure is finished, the heart-lung machine is shut down. The tubes are taken out, and the sternum is closed with sutures or staples.

What to Expect After the Aortic Valve Repair and Replacement Procedure?

Following your operation, you will be taken to the cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU) for several days of monitoring. You should remain in hospital for a week or more. The breathing tube will be removed when you have recovered from your anesthesia.

General Guidelines:

• You will be able to resume liquids within a day, and then food as soon as you feel capable.
• You will start walking on the first- or second-day post-op.
• Urine catheters and chest tubes will be taken out after 24 to 48 hours.
• If you have pacing wires, your physician will also take those out.
• Nurses, respiratory therapists, and physical therapists will assist you with physical therapy and breathing exercises.
• Your physician will give you specific instructions for recovery.
• A cardiac rehabilitation program can be suggested.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Aortic Valve Repair or Replacement?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital is known for safe and successful Aortic Valve Repair or Replacement in Lucknow, India. With our Experienced Pediatric Cardiac Surgeons, modern technology, and dedicated care, the hospital ensures the best outcomes.

To seek an expert consultation for Aortic Valve Repair or Replacement in Lucknow, India

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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