Heart Valve Repair

Overview

Heart valve repair treatment focuses on fixing issues with one or more of the heart's four valves to ensure they function properly. The heart valves control blood flow through the heart and ensure it flows in the right direction. Problems with these valves can lead to conditions like leakage (regurgitation) or narrowing (stenosis). Heart valve repair surgery or procedures like heart valve repair without surgery can restore normal blood flow and improve overall heart function.

Why is Heart Valve Repair Treatment Required?

Heart valve repair is necessary when the heart valves are not working properly due to conditions such as:

• Leaky heart valves: This happens when a valve does not close tightly, allowing blood to flow backward. It may require leaky heart valve repair to restore normal flow.
• Valve narrowing (stenosis): This occurs when the valve flaps become thick or stiff, limiting blood flow.
• Congenital valve defects: Some people are born with structural valve abnormalities.

Key Advantages of Heart Valve Repair Treatment

• Restores normal blood flow: Properly functioning valves improve oxygen supply to the body.
• Preserves natural valves: Unlike replacement, repair retains your original valves, reducing the risk of complications like clotting.
• Better long-term outcomes: The surgical repair of a heart valve often has a higher success rate and longer durability.
• Minimally invasive options: Certain cases allow for heart valve repair without surgery, resulting in faster recovery and fewer risks.
• Improves quality of life: It relieves symptoms like fatigue, chest pain, and breathlessness.

How Should You Prepare for Heart Valve Repair Treatment?

• Medical evaluation: Discuss your symptoms with your doctor and undergo necessary tests like echocardiograms or MRIs.
• Medication review: Share any medications you are taking, including blood thinners, with your healthcare team.
• Lifestyle adjustments: Avoid smoking and alcohol and maintain a healthy diet before the heart valve repair procedure.
• Mental preparation: Learn about the procedure and ask questions such as how do you repair a heart valve? or what is recovery after heart valve repair like?

How Is Heart Valve Repair Treatment Performed?

1. Surgical Repair of a Heart Valve: A surgeon may repair a damaged valve using techniques such as patching holes, reshaping valve tissue, or tightening loose parts. This is the most common option.

2. Heart Valve Repair Without Surgery: Minimally invasive procedures, such as catheter-based repairs, use advanced tools to fix valves through a small incision.

3. Mechanical Heart Valve: In cases where repair is not feasible, valves may be replaced with durable mechanical ones.

What to Expect Before, During, and After the Procedure?

1. Before:

Tests like echocardiograms will assess valve function.

Anesthesia is administered if surgery is required.

2. During:

The procedure may take 2-4 hours, depending on complexity.

Surgeons repair valves using specialised techniques like tightening or reshaping.

3. After:

Recovery after heart valve repair can involve a hospital stay of 1-2 weeks.

Follow-up includes regular monitoring, medications, and possible lifestyle changes.

Risk and Potential Complications

While the heart valve repair operation is generally safe, potential risks include:

Infection at the surgical site.

Blood clots, especially with a mechanical heart valve.

Valve function issues requiring additional intervention.

Results/Outcomes

The surgical repair or replacement of a heart valve significantly improves symptoms like fatigue and breathlessness. Patients often experience better stamina and heart health. With proper care, repaired valves can function effectively for many years.