Heart Valve Replacement Surgery: Procedure and Precautions
Our heart has four valves that are present at the connection of the atrium and ventricle. The valves ensure blood flow in one direction without any regurgitation.
If any of these valves are,/is damaged. There can be a regurgitation of blood, causing the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. In this case, the heart also has to work more, leading to Cardiac ailments.
If the damage of the valve is mild, it can be taken care of with medication, but if the damage is severe, then surgical intervention is needed to repair the valve.
Types of valves used for replacement :
Two types of valves are used for valve replacement:
• Mechanical valve: These valves are made up of metal, plastic, or carbon. Mechanical valves are very sturdy and are more durable. The only drawback of this kind of valve is that blood tends to stick on the valve forming blood clots; to prevent the formation of blood clots, the patients are advised to take anticoagulant rest of their life.
• Biological valve: These valves are made up of animal tissues or taken from the donated heart. In a few cases, the patient’s tissues are also used for valve replacement. Unlike mechanical valves, these valves do not form blood clots but are very weak as compared to the mechanical valve. The biological valve needs to be replaced at least once every ten years. The frequency of replacement of valves is higher in children and young adults. Biological valves are more suited for elderly patients
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Pre-operative care:
Few precautions that need to be taken are:
• Medicines and nutritional supplements must be discussed with the doctor
• Smoking should be avoided at least two weeks before the surgery as smoking causes problems with breathing and blood coagulation.
• X-ray, ECG, blood test, and urine test is done for assessment of the patient’s present medical condition.
• Avoid eating anything at least 8 hours before the surgery.
• Every minute of symptoms or changes in health before the operation must be discussed with the doctor.
• Avoid public places to reduce the chances of getting infected before the surgery.
Procedures for the surgery :
The surgery takes around 2-4 hours to complete. The patient is administered with anesthesia. Once the patient is under the effect of anesthesia, a tube is known as a respirator is inserted into the windpipe. A heart and lung machine is used to supply oxygenated blood to the body when the heart is stopped momentarily to repair the valve. Anticoagulant is administered during the surgery to prevent the formation of blood clots.
It takes about 4-6 weeks to recover after surgery completely.
Precautions to be taken after surgery :
• In cases of mechanical valve transplants, blood thinners must be taken every day for the rest of their life.
• The doctor or a dentist under whom the patient goes for treatment must intimate the doctor about his medical history of valve transplant so that necessary antibiotics are also administered to prevent infection in the blood.
• The patient should not be anxious because of the sound of the new valve opening and closing as it just indicates that the new valve is working correctly.
When to see a doctor
Patients should see the doctor if they experience the following symptoms :
• Post-surgery if the patient suffers from high fever.
• Pus accumulation at the site of the incision
• Pain, swelling around the location of the incision
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in chest
• Palpitations
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I was only aware about mechanical valve. Thank you for this information regarding biological valve