Valve Infection and Aortic Valve Replacement: An Overview

Having a replacement aortic valve poses a small risk throughout your life for infection. About 1 out of every 1,000 patients may develop a valve infection over their lifetime. To decrease this risk of infection you will need to take antibiotics prior to any dental or medical procedure. It is important to let your doctors know before you undergo any medical test or procedure that you have had a valve replacement. You should also call your cardiologist or surgeon and inform them of any procedures you are planning to have, so they can give you antibiotics prior to the procedure. These antibiotics will help protect your valve from infection; however, if your valve becomes infected, it may need to be replaced with another surgery.