Aortic Valve Replacement: An Introduction
Aortic valve replacement is a surgery used to remove a diseased or defective aortic valve and replace it with another valve.
In most cases, this surgery can improve the symptoms caused by a defective aortic valve, such as:
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Swelling in the legs.
Understanding the Aortic Valve and Aortic Valve Disease
The heart is a hollow, muscular organ about the size of a fist. The heart's primary job is to pump blood throughout the body.
The inside of a normal heart is divided into four chambers:
- Right atrium
- Left atrium
- Right ventricle
- Left ventricle.
Blood, in need of oxygen, flows in from the body and enters the right atrium. From the right atrium blood is squeezed into the right ventricle through one of the heart's valves.
Heart valves keep blood flowing in one direction by opening to let the proper amount of blood flow through and then closing to prevent backflow.
From the right ventricle blood is pumped through another valve and then into the lungs, where it receives oxygen. Flowing back to the heart into the left atrium, the blood is then squeezed into the left ventricle through the mitral valve. From there, the oxygen-rich blood is pumped through the aortic valve and into the aorta, where it flows to the rest of the body.
There are two common types of aortic valve problems:
aortic stenosis and aortic insufficiency.
Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the valve. When this happens, the heart has to push harder to get blood through the smaller opening and less blood circulates through the heart and to the rest of the body. In older patients, aortic stenosis may be caused by calcium that builds up on the valve. This buildup also hardens the valve, which can hinder its ability to open and close properly.
Aortic insufficiency or leakage is another problem that can occur when a valve does not close properly. This allows blood to leak back through the valve, AWAY from the direction it SHOULD be going. Insufficiency can be caused by a valve that has simply become weak over time and is beginning to wear out.
In younger patients, aortic valve disease can be caused by having a bicuspid valve -- which has only two leaflets, instead of three. Over time, the bicuspid valve can weaken and may leak or become narrow.
Another cause of aortic valve disease can be an infection you may have had when you were younger called rheumatic fever. This infection may have damaged your valve, causing scarring that is now making your valve function improperly.
These problems may cause you to feel short of breath, fatigue, or chest pain and may even cause you to pass out.
Preparing for Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic valve replacement is performed in the hospital and the average hospital stay is 4 to 7 days; however, it is possible that you could stay longer.
Depending on your situation, you may undergo other tests prior to your aortic valve replacement. Your healthcare provider will explain the specific purpose of each test.
You will also be given specific instructions as to where and when to arrive at the medical facility, how to prepare for your aortic valve replacement surgery and what to expect the day of and the days following your surgery.
Aortic Valve Replacement Options
For someone having an aortic valve replacement, the new aortic valve will be one of two types. These two types of aortic valve replacements are:
- A man-made mechanical valve, made of metal and plastic
- Tissue valve, which is an aortic valve that is taken from an infection-free animal heart.
Each type of aortic valve has specific advantages and disadvantages.
Aortic Valve Replacement: The Surgery Itself
During an aortic valve replacement, the aorta is gently opened to reveal your aortic valve. The surgeon will then carefully remove the old aortic valve. At this time the doctor will then select a mechanical or tissue replacement valve and this be sewn into place with stitches. Once securely in place, the aorta will be closed with stitches.
Complications of Aortic Valve Replacement
No procedure is ever completely free of risks. However, aortic valve replacement has been performed for many years with successful results and limited complications.
Loss of life associated with aortic valve replacement 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.
Aortic Valve Replacement: Summary
The goal of an aortic valve replacement is to remove your defective aortic valve and replace it with one that will work more efficiently.
It is an effective procedure that is successfully performed in most cases. The majority of patients have fewer symptoms after this procedure.
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print