Valve replacement

Valve replacement is a cardiac surgery procedure used to replace damaged or diseased heart valves. The heart contains four valves: the tricuspid valve, the pulmonary valve, the mitral valve, and the aortic valve. These valves ensure unidirectional blood flow through the heart. When one or more of these valves become damaged or diseased, it can affect the flow of blood and put strain on the heart. Valve replacement surgery is often necessary to treat this condition.

Types of Valve Replacements

There are two main types of valve replacements: mechanical valves and biological valves. Mechanical valves are made from materials that are not likely to react with the body, such as titanium. Biological valves are made from animal tissue or taken from the human tissue of a donated heart.

Mechanical Valves

Mechanical valves are durable and typically last a lifetime. However, blood tends to stick to mechanical valves and create blood clots. Therefore, patients with mechanical valves must take anticoagulant medication for the rest of their lives to prevent blood clots.

Biological Valves

Biological valves are less likely to cause blood clots than mechanical valves, so patients with these valves usually do not need to take anticoagulant medication. However, biological valves are not as durable as mechanical valves and may need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years.

Procedure

The procedure for valve replacement surgery varies depending on the type of valve being replaced and the specific condition of the patient. However, the general procedure involves opening the chest, stopping the heart, removing the damaged valve, and replacing it with a new one. The heart is then restarted, and the chest is closed.

Risks and Complications

Like all surgeries, valve replacement surgery carries some risks. These can include infection, bleeding, blood clots, valve dysfunction, arrhythmias, stroke, or death. The risk of complications is higher in patients who are older or have other health conditions.

Recovery

Recovery from valve replacement surgery can take several weeks or months. Patients usually need to stay in the hospital for a week or more after the surgery. They will also need to take medications and may need to make lifestyle changes to keep their new valve functioning properly.

See Also

• Heart valve repair
• Cardiac surgery
• Heart disease

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