The heart is an incredible organ that pumps blood throughout our bodies, keeping us alive and healthy. It has four valves that ensure blood flows in the right direction: the mitral valve, tricuspid valve, aortic valve, and pulmonary valve. Sometimes, these valves don’t work correctly. When this happens, we can develop heart valve disease, which can be serious. But did you know that surgery can replace a diseased heart valve?
Understanding heart valve disease
First, it’s important to know the function of the heart valves. The heart valves open and close with each heartbeat, allowing blood to move through the heart and into the rest of the body. When one of these valves becomes narrow or leaky, it can cause the heart to pump less effectively. There are two main types of heart valve disease:
- Stenosis – This occurs when a valve becomes too narrow or stiff, making it hard for blood to pass through. It’s like trying to drink a thick smoothie through a tiny straw.
- Regurgitation – This happens when a valve doesn’t close properly, causing blood to leak backward. Imagine a door that doesn’t shut all the way, letting the wind blow through.
Heart valve disease can make you feel tired, dizzy, or short of breath. If it’s severe, it might need to be treated with surgery.
Learn more about heart valve disease>>
What is valve replacement?
When medications or other treatments don’t work, doctors might suggest valve replacement surgery. This means taking out the diseased valve and putting in a new one. The new valve can be either mechanical or biological:
- Mechanical valves are made of durable materials. They can last a long time, but you’ll need to take blood-thinning medicine for life to prevent blood clots from forming.
- Biological valves come from animal tissue or human donors. Biological valves typically last 10-20 years. Younger people who receive replacement biological valves may need additional surgery for another valve replacement later in life. A benefit of biological valves is that you won’t need long-term use of medication as you would with a mechanical valve.
Read more: When is valve replacement necessary for pulmonary valve stenosis?
Types of valve replacement surgery
There are different ways to replace a valve.
Traditional valve replacement surgery involves open heart surgery.
There are also minimally invasive techniques that use smaller cuts and special tools, which means a shorter recovery time and less pain.
One common minimally invasive option is transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Instead of opening the chest, doctors insert a thin tube (catheter) through a blood vessel in your leg and guide it to the heart. They use the catheter to place the new valve inside the old one.
Questions to ask your doctor
If you or a loved one needs valve replacement surgery, it’s important to be informed. Here are some questions you should ask your doctor:
- What type of valve disease do I have?
- What are my treatment options?
- What are the risks and benefits of valve replacement surgery?
- Which type of replacement valve is best for me?
- How long will it take to recover from the surgery?
Understanding your condition and treatment options can help you feel more confident and prepared for what’s ahead. Contact a cardiac surgeon at WashU Medicine: 314-362-7260