Aortic Valve Replacement Complications

While the procedure has been performed for many years with successful results, there are possible minor and major aortic valve replacement complications that may occur. Minor aortic valve replacement complications are temporary in most cases and often easily treated by healthcare providers. Examples of minor aortic valve replacement complications include nausea and vomiting, minor bleeding or bruising, abnormal or painful scarring, and allergic skin reactions. Major aortic valve replacement complications include bleeding, infection, heart attack, stroke, and loss of life.

Complications of Aortic Valve Replacement

Aortic Valve Replacement Complications: An Introduction

No procedure is ever completely free of risks; however, aortic valve replacement has been performed for many years with successful results and limited complications.

This article addresses the possible minor and major complications of aortic valve replacement. Minor complications are in most cases temporary and are often easily treated by your healthcare providers.

Minor Aortic Valve Replacement Complications

Minor aortic valve replacement complications include:

Nausea and vomiting
Infections at the site of the IVs, wires, or tubes
Minor bleeding or bruising
Abnormal or painful scar formation
Allergic skin reaction
Skin numbness
Atrial fibrillation.

Major Aortic Valve Replacement Complications

There are also a number of possible major aortic valve replacement complications that can occur with aortic valve replacement. Although these are uncommon, your overall health will play a role in your likelihood of developing complications and how well you recover from them. For example, patients with severe heart disease, diabetes, or lung or kidney disease may be at greater risk for complications associated with aortic valve replacement than those who are healthier.

The most common and/or serious complications of aortic valve replacement include:

Infection
Bleeding
Heart attack
Stroke
Valve replacement failure
Loss of life.

Other possible major complications of aortic valve replacement include (but are not limited to):

Heart or lung problems, including:

o Irregular heart rhythms

o Temporary or permanent damage to your heart's electrical system

o Pneumonia

o Lung or heart failure

o Rupture of the heart wall.

Kidney failure
Allergic reaction to medication
Nerve or organ damage
Transmission of disease from blood products
Other rare and unlikely events.

(Aortic Valve Replacement Complications Continued: Page 2)