What you need to know about Aortic Valve Repair Procedure
Contents
- 1 What you need to know about Aortic Valve Repair Procedure
- 2 What Does the Procedure Involve?
- 3 How Long Should You Stay in the Area?
- 4 How Long is the Recovery Time?
- 5 What Aftercare Should You Consider?
- 6 What is the Success Rate for Aortic Valve Repair Procedure?
- 7 Are there Alternatives to Aortic Valve Repair Procedure?
- 8 What Should You Expect Before and After the Procedure?
An Aortic valve repair is a medical procedure to treat diseases that affects the aortic valve – one of the four valves that regulate blood flow to your heart. The type of diseases that usually need treatment are aortic valve regurgitation, congenital heart disease, and aortic valve stenosis.
What Does the Procedure Involve?
The procedure starts with a general anesthetic and you will not feel any pain throughout the surgery. Your doctor may perform the procedure through traditional open-surgery with the opening of the chest bone or through a less invasive procedure called balloon valvuloplasty. The procedure may involve various different types of repair, such as adding support at the base roots of the valve, reshaping tissue to allow the valve to close tightly, separating fused valve cusps, and inserting tissue to patch holes in the flaps that close off the valve.
How Long Should You Stay in the Area?
You may need to spend a day or two in the intensive care unit (ICU), then you will be moved to a regular room and expect to stay in the hospital for several days. The total recommended time you should spend in the local area is around 14 days or until your surgeon says it is okay for you to travel.
How Long is the Recovery Time?
The recovery time depends on your general health before the procedure and any complications. You can expect to gradually regain your energy and return to your normal activity level within four to eight weeks.
What Aftercare Should You Consider?
You will need to attend regular follow-up appointments, but you can schedule these appointments with your local doctor if you prefer. You will be instructed to make healthy lifestyle changes, including physical activities (such as regular exercises), a healthy diet, stress management, and avoiding cigarettes, to reduce the risk of future complications and keep your heart healthy.
What is the Success Rate for Aortic Valve Repair Procedure?
Aortic valve repair is highly successful, safe and it offers a long-term solution. Only 1 in 10 patients required another operation within ten years after surgery and the risk of death is less than 1%. Still, it is good to be aware of the side effects and the risks of the procedure, which include bleeding, stroke, valve dysfunction, heart rhythm problems, infection, blood clots, and death.
Are there Alternatives to Aortic Valve Repair Procedure?
If aortic valve repair is not the ideal option for you, your doctor may recommend transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) instead. In some cases, aortic valve replacement can also be an option.
What Should You Expect Before and After the Procedure?
Aortic valves that are not working properly can interfere with your blood flow, forcing your heart to work harder. It can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue and more dangerous conditions, such as heart failure and sudden cardiac death. After the procedure, your normal blood flow is restored, your symptoms are relieved, the function of your heart muscle is preserved, and your life may be prolonged.
For an in-depth analysis of an Aortic Valve Repair Procedure, watch this short video.
https://youtu.be/wrcEhXtTnIo
To check prices or to book an Aortic Valve Repair Procedure in Thailand or anywhere else in the world, head on over to MyMediTravel now!