The valve's function is to push the blood out of the chambers of the heart. When the movement is restricted it is an indication of the valve dysfunction.
Stenosis is a condition where the blood vessels get narrowed restricting the flow of blood to the heart. Sometimes it could be the leaky valves. Regurgitation is yet another phenomenon where one of the valves is open making the blood flow backward.
The symptoms of heart disease are:
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
- Cyanosis
- Chest pain
- Fluid retention in lower limbs
The valvular heart has one or more valves that are damaged and may need repair. Valve replacement surgery is the only option.
Types:
Mechanical and Biologic valves: They are used to replace damaged valves. A mechanical valve is made from carbon and polyester materials that the body readily accepts. It lasts as long as 10-20 years. The only dis advantage is that it clots the blood vessels. As a result, one has to use blood thinners for the rest of his life.
Biologic Valves: They use bioprosthetic valves made from animal or human tissue
- Poscine Valve - A pig’s tissue is used. It can be immolated without a stent.
- Bovine Valve - It’s made from cow’s tissue. It’s implanted using silicone rubber.
- Allograft –It’s taken from human tissue from a donor’s heart.
This doesn’t cause blood clots. But these biologic valves need replacements once in a while. They are recommended based on your age, health, the severity of the valvular diseases and your body’s ability to take anti-coagulant medications.
Types of Valves Replacements:
- Aortic replacement: The Aortic Replacement is the main valve that allows blood to leave the left ventricle and to close without leaking. If your heart is undergoing Regurgitation, Stenosis, or congenital defect needs a surgery.
- Mitral Valve Replacement: It allows blood vessels from left atrium into the left ventricle. If the opening and closure of the valve is impaired blood is restricted from entering. It is called a degenerative disease. The valve can be replaced with metal artificial valve or biological valve. Depending on factors like age, health and other medical conditions survival rates are about 91%.
- Double Valve Replacement: The double valve replacement surgery is conducted when both the mitral and aortic valve are replaced. This is a rare surgery and the survival rates are low.
- Pulmonary valve replacement: It’s caused due to a condition called stenosis a congenital defect for which the pulmonary valve has to be replaced to regulate the blood supply from the heart to the lungs.
The Procedure:
- The minimally invasive or conventional procedure
- A large incision from your neck to your navel
- You will be placed on by pass machine to regulate blood supply
- Incisions are made in your aorta through which valves are transplant
- Recovery will take from a few days to several months.
KIMS with its multi-specialty facilities have provided relentless service to mankind and improved the quality of life. They conduct Heart Valve Replacement procedures with a team comprising of the best heart valve surgeons in Hyderabad.