Aortic valve replacement

From WikiMD's medical encyclopedia

Aortic Valve Replacement

Aortic valve replacement is a surgical procedure in which a patient's aortic valve is replaced with an artificial valve. The aortic valve is one of the four main heart valves and is responsible for regulating blood flow from the left ventricle of the heart into the aorta, the main artery that carries blood to the rest of the body.

Indications

Aortic valve replacement is typically indicated for patients with severe aortic stenosis or aortic regurgitation. Aortic stenosis is a condition where the valve becomes narrowed, restricting blood flow, while aortic regurgitation occurs when the valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward into the heart.

Types of Replacement Valves

There are two main types of replacement valves used in aortic valve replacement:

  • Mechanical valves: These are made from durable materials such as titanium or carbon. They are long-lasting but require patients to take lifelong anticoagulant medication to prevent blood clots.
  • Bioprosthetic valves: These are made from animal tissue, such as pig or cow tissue, or from human tissue. They tend to wear out faster than mechanical valves but do not usually require long-term anticoagulation.

Surgical Techniques

Aortic valve replacement can be performed using different surgical techniques:

  • Open-heart surgery: This traditional method involves making a large incision in the chest and temporarily stopping the heart to replace the valve.
  • Minimally invasive surgery: This approach uses smaller incisions and specialized instruments to replace the valve, potentially reducing recovery time.
  • Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): This is a less invasive procedure where the new valve is inserted via a catheter through a blood vessel, often in the leg, and guided to the heart.

Recovery and Prognosis

Recovery from aortic valve replacement varies depending on the type of surgery performed. Patients who undergo open-heart surgery may require several weeks to recover, while those who have minimally invasive surgery or TAVR may recover more quickly.

The prognosis after aortic valve replacement is generally good, with most patients experiencing significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life. However, regular follow-up with a cardiologist is necessary to monitor heart function and valve performance.

Complications

Potential complications of aortic valve replacement include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Blood clots
  • Valve dysfunction or failure
  • Stroke

Related Pages



Cardiovascular disease A-Z

Most common cardiac diseases

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

B

C

D

E

H

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

I

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

T

V

W


Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Transform your life with W8MD's budget GLP-1 injections from $125.

W8mdlogo.png
W8MD weight loss doctors team

W8MD offers a medical weight loss program to lose weight in Philadelphia. Our physician-supervised medical weight loss provides:

NYC weight loss doctor appointments

Start your NYC weight loss journey today at our NYC medical weight loss and Philadelphia medical weight loss clinics.

Linkedin_Shiny_Icon Facebook_Shiny_Icon YouTube_icon_(2011-2013) Google plus


Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD