Heart Valve Surgery: Repair and Replacement
The valves in your heart are an integral part of cardiac function. If there is heart disease or damage affecting the valves, repair or replacement will be necessary. The mitral valve and the aortic valve are the common cardiac valves to be repaired or replaced.
Valve replacement is the most common procedure for aortic valve stenosis and acute mitral valve regurgitation. Valve replacement requires open heart surgery on a non-beating (arrested) heart during cardiopulmonary bypass (meaning a machine performs the functions of the heart and lungs while the surgery takes place).
The surgeons at Western Cardiovascular Associates perform valve replacements with either mechanical (artificial) valves or with natural valves derived from animals, such as pig or cow valves or human valves harvested from organ donors. Artificial valves carry the risk of blood clots, and though artificial valves will last a lifetime, a life long regimen of anticoagulation medications must be taken to reduce the risk of embolism and stroke. Natural valves do not pose a risk of blood clots, but natural valves will wear out, usually within 10 to 15 years and will have to be replaced again.
The surgeons at Western Cardiovascular Associates are preeminent valve specialists and will discuss all of your options for valve repair or replacement during your consultation.
To find out if you are a candidate for freestyle valve replacement or valve repair, contact Western Cardiovascular Associates online or call us at 801-743-4750 today.