Mitral Valve Replacement Risks

• Mitral Valve Replacement Complications

Minor complications of mitral valve replacement include nausea and vomiting and minor bleeding or bruising. This portion of the eMedTV archives also discusses major mitral valve replacement complications, such as heart attack and loss of life.

• Infections After Mitral Valve Replacement

Infections after mitral valve replacement can range from minor cases treated with antibiotics to serious infections of the breastbone. This eMedTV resource covers various infections that might occur after mitral valve replacement.

• Bleeding Following Mitral Valve Replacement

Although some bleeding following mitral valve replacement is normal, severe bleeding can occur. This portion of the eMedTV archives explains how blood transfusions are used to treat bleeding following mitral valve surgery.

• Heart Attack With Mitral Valve Replacement

A heart attack with mitral valve replacement is a serious complication, occurring in about 4 out of 1,000 procedures. This eMedTV Web page details how a heart attack with mitral valve replacement affects the body.

• Stroke During Mitral Valve Replacement

A temporary or permanent stroke during mitral valve replacement occurs in about 5 out of 100 procedures. As this eMedTV article explains, some of these strokes are caused by a piece of plaque that breaks off and blocks an artery in the brain.

• Lung Problems After Mitral Valve Replacement

Possible lung problems after mitral valve replacement surgery include bleeding, lung failure, and pneumonia. The information in this eMedTV segment describes how lung failure after mitral valve replacement is treated.

• Irregular Heart Rhythms and Mitral Valve Replacement

Irregular heart rhythms and mitral valve replacement surgery are linked. As explained in this section of the eMedTV library, most irregular heart rhythms that result from mitral valve replacement surgery are brief and cause no symptoms.

• Abnormal Scar Formation Following Mitral Valve Replacement

As this eMedTV segment explains, abnormal scar formation following mitral valve replacement surgery can occur, especially if the patient has a history of keloids or excessive, thick scarring. Patients concerned about scars should talk to a doctor.

• Kidney Problems as a Complication of Mitral Valve Replacement

Some patients who develop kidney problems as a complication of mitral valve replacement require chronic dialysis. As this eMedTV article explains, however, most kidney problems that develop as a complication of mitral valve replacement are minor.

• Medication Risk With Mitral Valve Replacement

Minimizing medication risk with mitral valve replacement surgery involves telling your doctor about any allergies you may have. This eMedTV Web page explains the potential medication risk associated with mitral valve replacement surgery.

• Wound Breakdown as a Mitral Valve Replacement Complication

Severe swelling or infections can cause wound breakdown as a mitral valve replacement complication. This portion of the eMedTV archives provides information about how wound breakdown may develop following mitral valve replacement surgery.

• Mitral Valve Failure After Mitral Valve Replacement

Mitral valve failure after mitral valve replacement occurs in less than 1 out of 100 patients. This eMedTV resource covers some possible causes of mitral valve failure after mitral valve replacement, such as blood clots forming on the new valve.

• Valve Infection and Mitral Valve Replacement

As this eMedTV article points out, statistics on valve infection and mitral valve replacement indicate that about 1 out of 1,000 patients will develop such an infection during their lifetime.

• Rupture of the Heart Wall and Mitral Valve Replacement

Rupture of the heart wall during mitral valve replacement surgery occurs in about 1 out of 100 cases. This portion of the eMedTV archives explains how a rupture of the heart wall can occur while mitral valve replacement surgery is taking place.

• Diabetics and Mitral Valve Replacement

As this eMedTV article explains, experience with diabetics and mitral valve replacement has taught doctors that diabetics have a greater risk of getting an infection after the procedure. This Web page discusses diabetics and mitral valve replacement.