Valve replacement

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Valve Replacement

Valve replacement (/vælv rɪˈpleɪsmənt/) is a cardiac surgery procedure that involves the replacement of one or more of the heart valves with either an artificial heart valve or a bioprosthesis. It is a treatment for valvular heart disease when the valves do not function properly.

Etymology

The term "valve replacement" is derived from the Latin "valva", meaning "folding door", and the Old French "replacer", meaning "to place back". It refers to the surgical procedure of replacing a dysfunctional heart valve with a functioning one.

Procedure

During a valve replacement surgery, the patient is placed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision in the chest to access the heart. The heart is then stopped and the patient is put on a heart-lung machine, which takes over the function of the heart and lungs during the surgery. The diseased valve is removed and replaced with a new one. The heart is then restarted, and the incision is closed.

There are two types of valves that can be used in this procedure: mechanical valves, made from materials such as plastic, carbon, or metal; and biological valves, made from animal tissue or taken from a human donor.

Risks and Complications

Like all surgeries, valve replacement has potential risks and complications. These may include infection, bleeding, blood clots, valve dysfunction, arrhythmia, stroke, or death. The risk is higher in patients who are older or have other health conditions.

Related Terms

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