Aortic Valve Replacement Complications: Summary
Depending on your individual situation, a major
aortic valve replacement complication may lead to one or more of the following:
- A blood transfusion
- A longer hospital stay
- Temporary or permanent placement of a pacemaker
- Dialysis
- Repeat surgery.
In some cases, an immediate life-saving surgery may be necessary. Other major complications, in infrequent cases, can lead to permanent disability or loss of life. Loss of life associated with aortic valve replacement, however, occurs in approximately 4 out of 100 procedures that are elective, or planned. During emergency surgery, loss of life can be much higher, occurring in 10 to 20 out of 100 procedures.
It may be that in your doctor's practice, few of these aortic valve replacement complications have occurred. However, it is important for you to know and understand the potential complications, so that you are fully informed before your procedure.
It is also important for you to understand that there can be longer-term complications associated with having a valve replacement. Because of your new valve, you will be at a higher risk of having infections, valve failure, or
stroke and bleeding.
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