Heart Valve Surgery

Heart valve surgery or cardiac valve surgery is performed when diseased or damaged valve of heart does not work properly and chaos appears in body that is often life threatening. The valve used for transplantation is usually taken from another human heart (cadaver valve) or pig (porcine valve) or it can be a mechanical one. Due to the diseased or damaged heart valve, blood does not travel to the heart's chambers or less bloods move to the next chamber. In consequence of this trouble, bloods may come out to the lungs and the body that adversely affects entire functionary of human body. The risk for developing an infection of the valve (endocarditis) also increases due to this problem. Heart valve surgery is the solution to get ride of this disorder. Some factors that may increase the risk of heart valve surgery are- those with prosthetic heart valves, patients who have had endocarditis in the past, patients with certain types of congenital heart defects and art-transplant patients who develop a problem with a heart valve.

Heart valve surgery involves repairing or replacing one or more valves. In the valve repair surgery, the valve is mended to help it work better. Surgeon usually cuts the damaged valve or may separate and shorten it to help the valve open and close right. Sometimes it becomes difficult to cure the unhealthy valve, and then replacement is required to get back its normal function. Through this process, diseased valve is removed and a new valve is implanted at this place.

As per the condition of valve, if it can't be repaired then it is replaced with a prosthetic valve. The available prosthetic heart valves are of two kinds such as- Mechanical valves and Biological (tissue) valves. Mechanical valves are created from artificial materials. If mechanical valves are used then lifetime therapy with an anticoagulant (sometimes called a "blood thinner") is required. Biological (tissue) valves are in use which is taken from pig, cow, or human donors. These valves are durable and long lasting in comparison to mechanical valves. When biological valves are used, long-term use of an anticoagulant often isn't required.

Surgery begins by using of general anesthesia. In both the repairing and replacing surgery, surgeon makes an incision is the heart or aorta of the patient. If the valve can be repaired, the needed repairs are done. If the condition of valve is in condition of replacement, then part or all of the damaged valve and its supportive structures may be removed. The right-sized replacement valve is selected, positioned in the valve opening, and sewn firmly into place. Then incision in heart or aorta is closed. Your heart is then started so it beats on its own again. You achieve a healthy heart and get a fit life.