Heart Valve Replacement

What is Heart Valve Replacement Surgery?

Artificial heart valves are used to replace damaged or diseased heart valves that can’t be repaired. Operations to restore the function of heart valves have become common. They’re done to improve the health and vigor of people with heart valve diseases. The surgeon who’ll perform the operation is the best person to talk to about specific questions or concerns. He or she can best explain the details of the surgical procedure and recovery period.

People with artificial heart valves are at higher risk for developing an infection of the valve (endocarditis). They need to take antibiotics before certain dental or surgical procedures. Most people with artificial heart valves will need to be placed on an anticoagulant to prevent blood clots from forming.

Heart Valves

The heart has four chambers. The upper two are the right and left atria. The lower two are the right and left ventricles. Blood is pumped through the chambers, aided by four heart valves. The valves open and close to let the blood flow in only one direction.

What are the four heart valves?

The tricuspid valve is between the right atrium and right ventricle.
The pulmonary or pulmonic valve is between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery.
The mitral valve is between the left atrium and left ventricle.
The aortic valve is between the left ventricle and the aorta.

Each valve has a set of flaps (also called leaflets or cusps). When working properly, the heart valves open and close fully. Heart valves don’t always work as they should. A person can be born with an abnormal heart valve, a type of congenital heart defect. Also, a valve can become damaged by:

infections such as infective endocarditis
rheumatic fever
changes in valve structure in the elderly

What is a defective heart valve?

A defective heart valve is one that fails to fully open or close.
A stenotic heart valve can’t open completely, so blood is pumped through a smaller-than-normal opening.
A valve also may not be able to close completely. This leads to regurgitation (blood leaking back through the valve when it should be closed).

How are defective heart valves treated?

People with congenital heart valve defects may need treatment with drugs. Some valve defects may be repaired with surgery.

Most people with defective heart valves will need to take antibiotics before certain dental or surgical procedures likely to cause bleeding. This will prevent endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s lining or valves. Only a doctor familiar with a patient’s condition can determine whether that person needs antibiotics.

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