Heart Valve Surgery: Why does one need it? | Different types
The heart has four valves bicuspid (mitral) valve, tricuspid valve, aortic valve, and pulmonic valve.
Out of these four valves,
- The bicuspid and the tricuspid valves are responsible for have pumping blood from the Atria to the ventricles of the heart.
- The aortic valve is responsible for pumping the blood out of the heart into the body.
- Whereas the pulmonic valve is responsible for pumping blood out of the heart into the lungs. pulmonic valve or pulmonary valve lies between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery.
Of these valves, the mitral and the aortic valves are the ones who are responsible for handling blood with the most amount of pressure. Due to this high pressure the wear and tear of these two valves increases.
Many times, individuals are advised to undergo surgery to replace either or both valves. Surgeries are performed to repair or to entirely replace the valve.
Replacement of bicuspid valve is called mitral valve surgery and similarly, it is termed as aortic valve surgery for the aortic valve.
Why does one need heart valve surgery?
The heart valves have leaflets or flaps that allow the flow of blood in one direction only i.e. from atria to ventricles or from ventricles to out of the heart. This happens every time the heart beats which makes the valves prone to increased wear and tear, and calcification. So, in a heart valve surgery, the surgeon usually repairs or replaces the damaged area or the entire valve. If the damage is not severe, the surgery can be performed by minimally invasive methods. But severe cases often require open-heart surgery.
The causes for an individual needing a heart valve surgery may arise from his lifestyle choices or they could be genetic. People who smoke daily are at a greater risk of developing heart defects, increased stress levels and an overall lack of exercise also weakens the heart muscles.
The doctors usually prefer approaching the treatment option with minimal and non-invasive ways. But depending on the severity and the risk of damage associated, they might also proceed with a more invasive method.
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Different types of Heart Valve Surgery
Depending on the type of damage and the condition, the patient might be advised to go forward with the following options.
- Annuloplasty: To fix leaky valves.
- Valvulotomy: Enlarge narrowed valve leaflets using a balloon catheter.
- Commissurotomy: Tight valves are loosened by cutting the leaflets.
- Percutaneous mitral valve repair: Fixing leaky valves by placing a clip in the heart that tightens the walls and fixes the leak.
- Valve replacement: Damaged beyond repair valves are replaced entire using mechanical valves made of ceramics, plastics, or long-lasting metals. Bioprosthetic or tissue valves are also used, wherein the valve is either taken from a human donor or an animal source (cows or pigs). In such cases, using human valves is uncommon as the right dimensions and compatibility are hard to find. (Read more about Heart Valve Replacement Surgery)
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implementation (TAVI): It is a minimally invasive procedure of replacing the valve damaged due to stenosis.
Heart Valve Surgery: Pre-Operative Testing
Before these procedures, the patient is advised to refrain from smoking up to a couple of weeks before the surgery as smoking can induce clotting and breathing problems. A series of tests such as blood, urine, chest X-ray, and ECG are performed before the surgery to determine current conditions of the patient. A thorough medical history is also taken at this point.
Depending on the type of procedure, the patient might be in the operating room for at least two hours if no complication arises.
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Post-Operative Care
Post-surgery, the patient is kept under observation for two weeks where he is closely monitored for any adverse reactions to the newly placed valve. The recovery time post-op usually depends on the health of the person before surgery. If the patient was healthy, he should recover much quickly. After discharge, the site of incision and the general health of the patient should be monitored.
The doctor should be contacted immediately if any redness, swelling, bleeding, or draining from the incision site is observed. The doctor should also be consulted of the person is experiencing any chest pains, fever, or chills, as these can indicate a reaction that the body might be having the valve.
Post replacement surgery, the patient has to rely on taking immunosuppressants on a daily basis so the body does not reject the new valve. This medication puts the patient to a greater risk of catching infections due to compromised immunity.
A lifestyle change should also be considered. Maintaining a healthy, nutritious diet, light exercise, giving up smoking, reduced alcohol consumption, and reduced stress are the major aspects. Some doctors may also recommend participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs for a faster recovery and a good stepping stone to a newer lifestyle.
Cardiology Hospitals in India
- O P Jindal Hospital of Cancer & Cardiac Research
- Avanti Institute of Cardiology, Maharashtra
- Shanti Memorial Hospital, Cuttack, Orissa, India
- Apex Heart Institute – Ahmedabad Best multi-specialty 15 accredited hospitals from Ahmedabad
- Gujarat
- Ramesh Cardiac Hospital, Vijayawada
- Tagore Hospital & Heart Care Centre, Punjab
- Gleneagles Global Health City,Chennai
- Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon Best multi-specialty accredited hospitals from Gurgaon, India
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
- B. M. Birla Heart Research Centre, Kolkata
- Asian Heart Institute and Research Centre, Mumbai
- Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi
- Metro Heart Institute, Faridabad (Best multi-specialty accredited hospitals from Faridabad)
- N.M. Wadia Institite of Cardiology, Pune
- Metro Heart Institute, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences
- IVY Hospital Superspeciality Healthcare Punjab
- Heart & General Hospital , C-Scheme, Jaipur
- Bankers Heart Institute ,Old Padra Road, Vadodara
- Baroda Heart Institute & Research Centre Vadodara
- Usha Mullapudi Cardiac Centre Hyderabad
- Apollo Cardiac Center, New Delhi
- Manipal Heart Foundation, Bangalore
- Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore, India
- Kerala Institute Of Medical Sciences KIMS, Trivandram
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