Heart Valve Replacement

Overview

The heart has four valves that keep blood flowing in the right direction. When a valve becomes narrowed (stenosis) or leaky (regurgitation), the heart has to work harder. Valve surgery repairs the valve or replaces it with a mechanical or tissue valve.

Why it is done

• Severe valve narrowing or leakage that causes symptoms such as breathlessness, chest pain or fainting
• Valve disease that is weakening the heart
• Valve damage from rheumatic heart disease or infection

Types of valve

• Mechanical valves last a long time but need lifelong blood-thinning medicine
• Tissue (biological) valves usually do not need long-term blood thinners but may wear out over time

Your surgeon will discuss which option suits you.

Before the surgery

Tests such as echocardiography, blood tests and sometimes coronary angiography help plan the operation. A dental check-up is often recommended to reduce the risk of infection.

During and after the surgery

Valve surgery is usually open-heart surgery under general anaesthesia using a heart-lung machine, although less invasive approaches suit some patients. After the operation, you are cared for in intensive care, and recovery takes several weeks.

Risks

Risks include bleeding, infection, irregular heartbeat, stroke and problems with the new valve. People with mechanical valves need regular blood tests to monitor their blood thinner.

At KIH

KIH's cardiac surgery team offers valve replacement and less invasive valve procedures, and the cardiology service offers balloon treatment for narrowed valves.