Last Updated on November 27, 2025 by Bilal Hasdemir

When a heart valve is damaged, it can cause serious health issues. Heart valve replacement is a surgery that fixes this problem. It replaces the damaged valve with a new one.

At Liv Hospital, we use the latest in heart surgery. This includes both open-heart surgery and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). Our team is dedicated to giving each patient the best care possible.

Valve replacement surgery has come a long way. Now, patients have many options based on their needs. We aim to provide top-notch healthcare and support for patients from around the world.

Key Takeaways

• Heart valve replacement treats valve dysfunction, such as stenosis or regurgitation.
• Liv Hospital offers advanced surgical solutions, including traditional and minimally invasive techniques.
• Personalized care is provided to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
• Valve replacement surgery has evolved, providing many options for individual needs.
• Comprehensive support is available for international patients seeking advanced medical treatments.

Understanding Heart Valve Function and Dysfunction

It’s key to know how heart valves work to understand heart valve disease. The heart has four valves. They ensure blood flows only one way, which is vital for heart health.

The Four Heart Valves and Their Roles

The heart’s four valves are the aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid valves. Each valve has a special job. The aortic and pulmonary valves let blood flow to the body and lungs. The mitral and tricuspid valves manage blood flow between heart chambers. These valves stop backflow and keep blood flowing well.

Common Valve Problems: Stenosis and Regurgitation

Valve issues can cause stenosis and regurgitation. Stenosis is when a valve gets too narrow, blocking blood flow. Regurgitation is when a valve leaks, letting blood flow back. Both problems can harm heart function and health. For more on heart valve surgery, check out this resource.

When Is Heart Valve Replacement Necessary?

Deciding if you need a heart valve replacement depends on how bad the valve problem is and how it affects your heart. We look at several things to decide if surgery is needed. These include your symptoms, how damaged the valve is, and your overall health.

Symptoms of Heart Valve Disease

Heart valve disease can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue. This is because your heart has to work harder due to the valve problem. This can make your heart less efficient.

As the disease gets worse, you might feel palpitations, dizziness, or swelling in the legs and feet. It’s important to notice these symptoms early so you can get help quickly.

Diagnostic Methods for Valve Dysfunction

To find out if you have valve dysfunction, we use different tests. Echocardiography is a key one. It shows detailed pictures of your heart’s structure and how it works. This test is non-invasive and helps us see how the valve moves and blood flows.

We also use cardiac MRI and catheter-based angiography. These tests give us a full view of your heart’s anatomy. They help us figure out the best treatment for you.

Valve Repair vs. Replacement: Making the Decision

Choosing between valve repair and replacement is a big decision. It depends on many factors specific to each patient. We look at several things to find the best option for you.

When Repair Is Possible and Preferable

Repairing a heart valve is often the best choice if it can be done. It keeps your natural valve intact. This can lower the risk of problems linked to replacing the valve, like bleeding risks from blood thinners. Repair is usually considered when the damage is minor and the valve can be fixed.

• Preserves native valve tissue
• Reduces risk of anticoagulation complications
• Often results in better long-term outcomes

When Replacement Becomes Necessary

Replacing a valve is needed when it’s too damaged or sick to fix. We weigh the type of valve disease, your health, and other factors to choose between mechanical and bioprosthetic valves. Mechanical valves last long but need you to take blood thinners forever. Bioprosthetic valves don’t last as long but might not need blood thinners for life.

Types of Heart Valve Disease Requiring Intervention

Knowing the type of heart valve disease is key to finding the right treatment. Heart valve disease can really affect your life. Getting help early is important to avoid worse problems.

There are mainly two types of heart valve problems that might need medical help: stenosis and regurgitation. Both can cause serious health issues if not treated.

Addressing Stenosis (Narrowed Valves)

Stenosis means a heart valve gets too narrow, blocking blood flow. It can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and tiredness. Treatment options for stenosis include:

• Medications to manage symptoms
• Valvuloplasty, a procedure to widen the valve
• Surgical valve replacement in severe cases

The right treatment depends on how bad the stenosis is and the patient’s health.

Treating Leaky Heart Valves (Regurgitation)

Regurgitation happens when a heart valve leaks, letting blood flow back. It can cause heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and leg swelling. Management strategies for regurgitation include:

• Monitoring with regular echocardiograms
• Medications to reduce symptoms and slow disease progression
• Surgical repair or replacement of the valve

Choosing between repair and replacement depends on the valve, how bad the regurgitation is, and the patient’s health.

Preparing for Heart Valve Surgery

The journey to heart valve surgery starts with detailed medical checks and lifestyle changes. We know it can feel overwhelming, but being ready is key for a good outcome.

Pre-Surgical Testing and Evaluation

We run many tests before surgery to check your heart and health. These might include echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, chest X-rays, and blood tests. You might also have a stress test or coronary angiogram to see your heart’s state.

These tests help us make a surgery plan just for you. Our team will go over the results with you. They’ll explain what they mean and how they affect your surgery.

Lifestyle Adjustments and Medication Management

Before surgery, you might need to change your lifestyle. This could mean quitting smoking, losing weight, or eating better. We also check your medicines to see which ones to keep taking and which to stop.

By following these steps and making lifestyle changes, you help make your surgery and recovery successful.

How Do They Do a Heart Valve Replacement? The Traditional Approach

Heart valve replacement often uses open-heart surgery. This method has been perfected over years. It’s a proven way to save lives.

Open-Heart Surgery Procedure Steps

Open-heart surgery for valve replacement has several steps. First, we make a chest incision to reach the heart. The patient is then connected to a heart-lung machine.

This machine takes over the heart and lungs’ work during surgery. We stop the heart and open it to find the bad valve. The old valve is removed and replaced with a new one, either mechanical or biological.

After the new valve is in, the heart starts again. The patient is slowly taken off the heart-lung machine.

The Role of Heart-Lung Machine During Surgery

The heart-lung machine is key in open-heart surgery. It lets us stop the heart and keep blood flowing and oxygenated. This machine helps us work on a stopped heart safely and precisely.

According to medical research, the heart-lung machine is vital for open-heart surgery success.

Knowing the steps of traditional open-heart surgery helps patients prepare. They can understand what to expect during and after the surgery.

Types of Replacement Heart Valves

When it comes to heart valve replacement surgery, there are different types of valves to choose from. These include mechanical and biological valves, each with its own features.

Mechanical Valves: Benefits and Considerations

Mechanical valves are built from strong materials like titanium or pyrolytic carbon. They are known for lasting a long time, often for a patient’s entire life. But, mechanical valves need lifelong anticoagulation therapy to stop blood clots from forming.

This therapy is a big deal for patients. It means they have to watch their medication and go for regular check-ups.

Biological Valves: Options and Lifespan

Biological valves, made from animal tissue like pig or cow, are treated to reduce the risk of rejection. Biological valves have a limited lifespan and might need to be replaced in 10 to 15 years.

Biological valves are good because they do not require long-term anticoagulation therapy. This makes them easier for some patients. But, they might need to be replaced again in the future.

Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Replacement Techniques

New medical technologies have brought about big changes in heart valve replacement. These changes are making heart surgery safer and less invasive for patients.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

TAVR is a new way to replace the aortic valve without open-heart surgery. A catheter is used to put in a new valve. This method is very promising for those at high risk for traditional surgery.

Other Catheter-Based Approaches

There are also new methods for other heart valves. These include new ways to replace the mitral valve. These procedures are being tested and improved all the time.

Surgical Repair of Heart Valves

Surgical repair of heart valves is a complex procedure. It aims to make the valve work right again. This method is chosen when it can be, because it keeps the patient’s own tissue. It also might mean less need for long-term blood thinners.

There are different ways to fix heart valves, based on the valve and its problem. Two main methods are annuloplasty and valvuloplasty.

Annuloplasty and Ring Implantation

Annuloplasty fixes the valve annulus, the ring around the valve. It often involves putting in a ring to support the valve. This is very helpful for mitral and tricuspid valve problems.

The ring helps shape the annulus back to normal. This improves the valve’s function and the heart’s overall health.

Valvuloplasty and Reconstructive Techniques

Valvuloplasty fixes the valve leaflets. We use special techniques to make the valve work right again. This might include fixing chordae tendineae, removing bad tissue, or doing other repairs.

These precise techniques are made for each patient. They help fix the valve, improve symptoms, and enhance life quality. They might also prevent the need for more serious treatments.

Recovery After Heart Valve Surgery

After heart valve surgery, patients start a vital recovery phase. This includes both immediate care and long-term rehabilitation. We know this period can be tough, but with the right support, patients can do well.

Hospital Stay and Immediate Post-Op Care

The recovery starts in the hospital. Our team watches over patients closely for any issues and helps manage pain. The hospital stay time can change based on the surgery type and patient health.

Key aspects of immediate post-op care include:

• Monitoring for signs of complications
• Pain management
• Early mobilization to prevent blood clots and promote healing
• Breathing exercises to improve lung function

Long-Term Recovery and Rehabilitation

After leaving the hospital, recovery continues at home or in a rehab facility. A structured rehab program is key. It helps patients build strength, move better, and get back to their usual activities.

We’re here to support patients through their recovery. We help with medication, follow-up visits, and lifestyle changes. This ensures a smooth return to daily life.

Potential Risks and Long-Term Management

Choosing to have heart valve replacement surgery means knowing the risks and care needed long-term. The surgery can save lives, but it’s key to know the possible problems and how to handle them.

Surgical Complications and How They’re Addressed

Heart valve replacement surgery has risks like bleeding, infection, and valve dysfunction. Bleeding is a big worry and is watched closely. If needed, blood transfusions are given.

Infection risk is lowered with antibiotics and careful wound care after surgery. Valve problems, like stenosis or regurgitation, can happen with both types of valves. Regular echocardiograms check how well the valve works. Sometimes, more surgery is needed to fix these issues.

Ongoing Monitoring and Anticoagulation Therapy

After heart valve replacement, regular checks are key to make sure everything is working right. Patients with mechanical valves need anticoagulation therapy to stop blood clots. They have to get their blood tested often to see if the medicine is working.

Those with biological valves might not need to take anticoagulation medicine for as long, or at all. But, all patients need to be checked regularly to get the best results.

Knowing the risks and following the long-term care plan can greatly improve life after surgery.

Conclusion

Heart valve replacement is a big surgery. It can be done in different ways, like open-heart surgery or less invasive methods. We talked about the types of heart valve disease and how doctors decide if you need repair or replacement.

Choosing between a mechanical or biological valve depends on your health, age, and lifestyle. We discussed how important it is to take care of you after surgery. Sometimes, you’ll need to keep taking medicine and watch your health closely.

Knowing about the surgery options helps you make better choices. We aim to give top-notch health info to people looking for advanced medical care worldwide.

References

• UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center): https://www.upmc.com/services/heart-vascular/services/procedures/heart-valve-surgery
• National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) / Bookshelf: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537249/
• St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney Heart Health: https://www.svhhearthealth.com.au/procedures/procedures-treatments/heart-valve-surgery