Procedure for Heart Double Valve Replacement

What is Heart Double Valve Replacement?

Heart Double Valve Replacement is a surgical procedure to replace mitral valve and aortic valve with artificial ones, or replacement of the whole left side of the heart.

There are 4 valves in the heart –

Aortic valve

• In between the left ventricle and the aorta

Mitral valve

• In between  the left ventricle and left atrium

Tricuspid valve

• In between the right ventricle and the right atrium

Pulmonary valve

• In between right ventricle and the pulmonary artery

The mitral valve and tricuspid valve control the blood flow from the atria to ventricles, whereas the aortic valve and pulmonary valve control the blood supply out from the ventricles.

Most common, heart valve repairs are required in aortic valve or mitral valve. A . double valve replacement is recommended, in cases of aortic and mitral valve malfunction.

What are the Symptoms of Heart Valve Problems?

The symptoms might not be clearly noticeable. In some people take time to gradually developed and could be easily ignored. Symptoms of heart valve disease include –

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Tiredness or chest heaviness after a heavy physical activity
• Uncomfortable heart palpitations or shivering
• Unusual heartbeat or heart murmur
• Shortness of breathing Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Swollen ankles and legs
• Coughing up blood

Who Requires a Heart Valve Replacement?

Heart valve replacement is suggested in case one experiences the symptoms mentioned above to avoid further life threatening complications such as –

Severe Aortic Stenosis

• Aortic valve is narrowed restricting the blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.

Severe Mitral Regurgitation

• A blood leakage in the mitral valve or the blood flow is backward through the valve at every instance the left ventricle contracts.

Mitral Valve Prolapse

• In this condition both folds of the mitral valve do not close properly.

Mitral Valve Stenosis

• Mitral valve is incompetent to open fully, which restricts free flow of blood from the left atrium into the left ventricle.

Ignoring the symptoms or your heart specialist’s recommendations could cause fatal complications like heart attack or even a sudden death.

How Do You Perform a Heart Valve Replacement?

The surgery for a heart valve replacement is performed by 2 methods –

• Open heart surgery valve replacement

A larger incision is made by the surgeon to expose the heart and see it clearly out. He then removes the damaged valves, replaces them with the artificial ones, and closes the chest.

• Minimally invasive valve replacement

In this method, the incision is smaller thereby ensuring less pain and faster recovery.

What are the Heart Valve Replacement Risks?

The risks can be avoided by a timely consultation with the best heart surgeon. Complications are largely dependent on age, personal and family history and other contributing factors like smoking, etc.

Possible risks could be –

• Allergies from anesthesia
• Over bleeding
• Continued or unresolved problem in the valves
• Damages to the adjacent organs such as lungs
• Blood clots
• Damages to other blood veins
• Infection
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Memory loss

What is the Heart Valve Surgery Success Rate?

Regardless of the uncommon risks, heart valve replacement success rate is over 90%. The replaced artificial valves, depending on their made – mechanical, biological, or tissue-engineered, they are capable to function without any complications for about 20-25 years. This also requires your commitment for a healthy lifestyle and proper follow up with your heart surgeon.

What is the Best Hospital For Heart Valve Replacement?

For the best effective heart valve replacement one should consult the best cardiac surgeon and get treated at the best hospital with state-of-the-art technologies. Get in touch with us to inquire and consult the most successful heart surgeons.

What To Expect During Heart Valve Surgery Recovery?

A complete recovery requires at least 4-8 weeks and one is required to strictly follow all the instructions by the doctor. Some important things to note are:

• Avoid lifting heavy things
• Engaging in heavy physical activities
• Driving for longer distance
• Any other activity that gives more stress on the heart muscles until recovery.