What is a heart valve transplant?
A heart valve transplant is a surgery where a patient’s old heart valve is replaced with a new one. The old valve is often damaged, removed, or no longer working and needs to be replaced. This surgery can prevent serious complications and keep a person alive.
It is also used to treat congenital heart defects in children, which are problems with the construction of the heart. A heart valve transplant can also be used for other medical conditions like hypertension, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), and coronary artery disease (a problem with the arteries leading to the heart).
Although the heart valve replacement cost ranges widely as it depends on several factors of the patient’s condition and can only be discussed with the doctor. There is a lot you need to know about heart valve replacement before getting the surgery. Here are some key points to consider:
1. Heart valve replacement is an important and required surgery for those who have aortic aneurysms, ruptures, or other types of heart problems.
2. The surgery is performed through a small hole in the chest, usually under local anesthesia.
3. The main purpose of heart valve replacement is to replace a diseased, deteriorating valve with a healthy one that can provide a normal flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body.
4. Heart valve replacement usually lasts around six weeks, but some may require more time or rehabilitative care following the surgery.
5. Heart Valve Replacement should be considered only when all other treatments have failed and there is a significant threat to your life.
How does heart valve replacement surgery benefit a patient?
Heart valve replacement surgery is done to treat valvular heart disease, which occurs when heart valves become damaged or diseased
An aortic valve that is sick or damaged can obstruct blood flow and compel the heart to work harder to deliver blood to the rest of the body. Aortic valve repair or aortic valve replacement can improve blood flow, reduce symptoms of heart valve disease and prolong life
Heart valve replacement surgery is generally considered effective, and patients should feel some benefits of their new prosthetic heart valve almost immediately
Minimally invasive surgery has several advantages, including a decreased risk of infection, less blood, and less trauma. Minimally invasive procedures make smaller incisions, mean less pain afterward, and shorter hospital stays.
The sick valve can be fixed using a ring that supports the damaged valve, or it can be removed and replaced with an artificial valve. Artificial valves can be formed of tissue or carbon-coated plastic (made from animal valves or human valves taken from donors). However, surgery is not without risks, and complications are possible. Possible heart valve surgery risks include bleeding, heart attack, infection, irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia), stroke, and death
Patients need to know about these risks so they can alert their doctor if they notice any complications after surgery. Before being admitted to the hospital for heart valve surgery, patients should talk to their family about their hospital stay and discuss help they’ll need when they return home.
What are the risks associated with heart valve replacement surgery?
Heart valve replacement surgery is a major operation that carries risks, as with any surgery. The possible risks of heart valve repair or replacement surgery include bleeding during or after treatment, damage to the blood vessels, blood clots that can cause heart attack, stroke, or lung problems, infection at the incision site, pneumonia, breathing problems, arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), valve failure (more common with replacement), bad reaction to anesthetics and excessive bleeding
You are more likely to develop blood clots if you have had mechanical valve replacement. If you are in danger, you will be given anticoagulant medication.
Infection is another concern of heart valve reconstruction surgery. It is possible to get serious infections, respiratory problems, kidney problems, and mitral valve infections (endocarditis).
Up to 5% of those who have this treatment may develop renal problems. In rare cases, acute dialysis may be necessary. Problems might be fatal at times.
It is important to note that while these risks exist, they are relatively rare. Heart valve replacement surgery is generally considered effective and patients should feel some benefits of their new prosthetic heart valve almost immediately.
However, it is important for patients to know about the possible risks so they can alert their doctor if they notice any symptoms or complications after the procedure.