Bleeding Following Aortic Valve Replacement

While some bleeding following aortic valve replacement surgery is to be expected, it's possible that surgery may be necessary to stop the bleeding. In rare instances, bleeding following aortic valve replacement may require the chest to be opened in the ICU or recovery room. If the bleeding following aortic valve replacement surgery is severe, a blood transfusion may be necessary. There is a small risk of a blood transfusion reaction, which may cause an allergic reaction, abnormal blood clotting, or kidney failure.

Complications of Aortic Valve Replacement

Bleeding Following Aortic Valve Replacement: An Overview

Bleeding during aortic valve replacement surgery is normal. In fact, some bleeding following aortic valve replacement is also expected.

There can be several causes of bleeding following aortic valve replacement, and the treatment will vary, depending on the cause and your individual situation. It is possible that urgent surgery may be necessary to stop serious bleeding after the aortic valve replacement surgery or to repair a blood vessel that was damaged. In rare instances, it may be necessary to open your chest in the ICU or recovery room to attempt to control sudden and life-threatening bleeding. Fortunately, this rarely occurs.

Transfusions for Bleeding Following Aortic Valve Replacement

If bleeding is severe, blood and blood products are often used. When this is the case, there is a small risk of a blood transfusion reaction. This may cause an allergic reaction, abnormal blood clotting, or kidney failure. Because the blood and blood products are actively screened for various diseases and problems -- including AIDS and hepatitis among others -- blood transfusions are generally safe.

There is an extremely rare chance that you may contract an illness secondary to these transfusions. The estimated risk of:

Hepatitis C from blood transfusions is 1 in 100,000
Hepatitis B is 1 in 200,000
HIV is 1 in 600,000.

Depending on your individual situation, it may also be possible for you to donate your own blood. If so, you will usually donate blood about 3 to 4 weeks prior to the aortic valve replacement surgery.