Last Updated on November 27, 2025 by Bilal Hasdemir

When a heart valve is damaged, it can really hurt your health. At Liv Hospital, we get how tricky and worrying valve surgery can be. We aim to give you all the info you need to make smart choices about your health.

Heart valve repair surgery is a way to fix or replace a heart valve. It’s done to make sure blood flows right and your heart works better. We’ll cover the main points about this surgery. This includes the differences between fixing and replacing a valve, the kinds of surgeries you can get, and what to look forward to when you’re recovering.

Key Takeaways

• Heart valve surgery is a procedure to treat heart valve disease.
• The surgery involves either repairing or replacing a damaged heart valve.
• Repair surgery focuses on correcting the original valve to restore normal blood flow.
• Replacement involves removing the diseased valve and inserting a mechanical or biological replacement.
• Liv Hospital delivers trusted, patient-centered care through advanced techniques in heart valve repair and replacement.

Understanding Heart Valves and Their Function

Heart valves play a key role in our heart’s health. Our heart has four valves that work together. They make sure blood flows well through the heart and to the body.

The Four Heart Valves and Their Roles

The heart has four valves: the mitral, tricuspid, pulmonary, and aortic valves. Each valve has flaps that open and close with every heartbeat. This lets blood flow in one direction and stops it from going back.

• The mitral valve controls blood flow between the left atrium and the left ventricle.
• The tricuspid valve regulates blood flow between the right atrium and the right ventricle.
• The pulmonary valve manages blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.
• The aortic valve directs blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta, the largest artery in the body.

How Healthy Valves Maintain Blood Flow

Healthy heart valves are key for good blood flow. When the heart beats, the valves open and close together. This ensures blood keeps moving forward.

Common Heart Valve Problems

Heart valves can get damaged or diseased, causing issues like stenosis or regurgitation. These problems can harm heart function and overall health. In such cases, heart valve repair procedure or surgical repair of a valve may be needed to fix the heart.

Knowing about these common issues helps us see why open heart valve surgery is important for treating valve problems.

When Open Heart Valve Surgery Becomes Necessary

Open heart valve surgery is a key treatment for heart valve disease. It helps restore normal heart function. This surgery is considered when other treatments don’t work well.

Signs and Symptoms of Heart Valve Disease

Heart valve disease can cause many symptoms that affect daily life. Common signs include:

• Chest pain or discomfort (angina)
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fainting or dizziness
• Fatigue or weakness
• Swollen legs, ankles, or feet

These symptoms happen because the valve isn’t working right. It might be too narrow or leaky. If not treated, it can lead to heart failure.

Diagnostic Procedures

To figure out how severe heart valve disease is, doctors use several tests. These include:

1. Echocardiogram: An ultrasound test that shows the heart’s structure and function.
2. Electrocardiogram (ECG): A test that checks the heart’s electrical activity.
3. Cardiac Catheterization: A procedure that uses a catheter to check the valve and blood flow.
4. Cardiac MRI: A non-invasive test that gives detailed images of the heart.

These tests help doctors decide the best treatment plan for each patient.

Determining Surgical Candidacy

Deciding if someone needs open heart valve surgery depends on many things. These include:

• The severity of valve disease
• The symptoms and how they affect daily life
• The patient’s overall health and any other health issues
• The patient’s age and physical condition

Our team of cardiac specialists works with patients to find the best treatment. This might be surgery or other treatments.

Understanding heart valve disease, its symptoms, and how it’s diagnosed helps patients make informed choices. This includes knowing when surgery might be needed.

Key Fact #1: The Difference Between Valve Repair and Replacement

Choosing between valve repair and replacement is a big decision in open heart surgery. It impacts recovery, long-term health, and quality of life.

Heart Valve Repair Procedure Overview

Heart valve repair aims to fix the original valve. It tries to keep the patient’s natural heart tissue and function. Techniques include removing excess tissue and fixing the valve’s parts.

Valve repair is often preferred because it’s less risky than replacement. It also keeps the heart’s natural structure, leading to better long-term results.

When Valve Replacement Is Required

In some cases, valve replacement is the only option. If the valve is too damaged or diseased, repair won’t work. We then replace it with a mechanical or biological valve.

Mechanical valves are durable but need lifelong anticoagulant medication. Biological valves have a shorter lifespan but may not need long-term anticoagulation.

“The choice between valve repair and replacement depends on various factors, including the patient’s overall health, the condition of the valve, and the patient’s lifestyle and preferences.”

How Surgeons Make the Decision

Several factors influence the decision between repair and replacement. These include the valve disease’s severity, the patient’s age, health, and other heart conditions. Advanced imaging helps us decide the best option.

The decision is made for each patient individually. Our team works with the patient and their family to ensure they’re informed and involved.

Key Fact #2: Types of Open Heart Valve Procedures

Open heart valve surgery includes many procedures for different needs. These surgeries can fix or replace a damaged valve. It depends on how bad the valve disease is.

Surgical Repair of a Valve Techniques

There are several ways to fix a heart valve. These methods help the valve work right again.

Valvuloplasty

Valvuloplasty fixes the valve by removing extra tissue or calcium. This helps the valve work better.

Annuloplasty

Annuloplasty fixes or changes the ring around the valve. This makes the valve work better.

Commissurotomy

Commissurotomy cuts the stuck parts of the valve. This helps blood flow better.

Valve Replacement Options

If fixing the valve isn’t possible, replacing it is needed. There are two main types of replacements.

Mechanical Valves

Mechanical valves are strong and last long. But, you need to take blood thinners forever to avoid clots.

Biological Valves

Biological valves are made from animal tissue. They don’t need blood thinners as often. But, they might need to be replaced later.

Surgery can help if you have a leaky heart valve. Leaky heart valve surgery or leaky heart valve replacement can make life better. It helps your heart work right again.

Key Fact #3: The Open Heart Valve Surgery Process

Open heart valve surgery has many steps, from getting ready to recovering. Knowing these steps can make patients feel more ready and calm about their surgery.

Preoperative Preparation

Before valve repair surgery, patients go through tests and checks. These ensure they can have the surgery. They look at health, medical history, and do tests like echocardiograms and electrocardiograms.

Our team talks to patients about the surgery. They discuss risks and benefits and answer questions.

The Heart-Lung Machine’s Role

The heart-lung machine is key in open heart valve surgery. It works like the heart and lungs when the heart stops. This lets surgeons work without blood moving.

This machine is vital for both repair heart valve and replacement surgeries.

Step-by-Step Surgical Procedure

The surgery starts with a chest incision to get to the heart. The incision depends on the patient and surgeon. Once in, the patient is hooked up to the heart-lung machine.

The surgeon then fixes or replaces the valve. For valve repair surgery, they might fix the valve. For replacement, they take out the old valve and put in a new one.

Immediate Post-Operative Care

After surgery, patients go to the ICU for watchful care. The team checks vital signs, manages pain, and starts weaning off the ventilator. As they get better, they move to a regular room for more recovery.

Key Fact #4: Benefits of Heart Valve Repair Over Replacement

Heart valve repair is gaining favor over replacement for many. It’s chosen when possible because it offers several benefits. These benefits can greatly improve a patient’s life and health in the long run.

Preservation of Natural Heart Function

Heart valve repair helps keep the heart working naturally. It keeps more of the heart’s original parts, leading to better function after surgery. This is key for the heart to pump blood efficiently.

Reduced Need for Long-Term Medication

Those who get repair of heart valve might need less long-term medication. This is because mechanical valve replacements often require ongoing blood thinners. Less medication means easier care and fewer side effects.

Lower Risk of Complications

Heart valve repair also lowers the risk of some complications. Risks like endocarditis or valve failure are less common. This makes recovery smoother and reduces long-term health problems.

In summary, heart valve repair offers many advantages over replacement. It’s a more natural fix, reduces medication needs, and lowers complication risks. As technology and surgery improve, so will the results for those getting heart valve repair.

Key Fact #5: Leaky Heart Valve Surgery and Treatment Options

Leaky heart valve surgery is a treatment for a condition where blood leaks back through a valve. This can happen if a valve doesn’t close right. If not treated, it can lead to heart failure.

Understanding Valve Regurgitation

Valve regurgitation happens when a heart valve doesn’t close well. This lets blood leak back. It can affect any of the heart’s four valves.

The severity of this condition varies. Treatment depends on the valve and how bad it is.

Symptoms of Valve Regurgitation:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Swollen legs or feet
• Rapid weight gain

Leaky Heart Valve Replacement Considerations

Choosing to replace a leaky heart valve involves many factors. Doctors usually try other treatments first. The type of new valve depends on the patient’s age, lifestyle, and health.

Valve Type	Durability	Anticoagulation Therapy
Mechanical	Long-lasting	Required lifelong
Biological	Less durable	Typically not required long-term

Leaky Heart Valve Operation Success Rates

Most people see big improvements after valve replacement surgery. Studies show that many patients feel better and live better lives after the surgery.

“Valve replacement surgery has become a highly effective treatment for valve regurgitation, giving patients a chance to live a normal life and enjoy better health.”

— American Heart Association

Leaky heart valve surgery is a good option for those with valve regurgitation. Knowing about the condition and treatments helps patients make the best choices for their care.

Key Fact #6: Recovery and Rehabilitation After Heart Valve Surgery

After heart valve surgery, patients start a critical recovery and rehabilitation phase. This phase is key to getting the best results and returning to normal life.

Hospital Stay Duration

The time spent in the hospital after surgery varies. Usually, patients stay for a few days to a week. During this time, doctors watch for complications and manage pain well.

Physical Rehabilitation Process

Physical rehabilitation is a big part of getting better. It starts right after surgery. It includes:

• Early mobilization to prevent blood clots and improve circulation
• Gradual increase in physical activity to strengthen the body
• Breathing exercises to improve lung function

Long-Term Lifestyle Adjustments

After surgery, patients might need to change their lifestyle for good. These changes can be:

• Following a heart-healthy diet
• Doing regular, moderate exercise
• Managing stress with relaxation techniques

Knowing that valve replacement is considered open heart surgery helps prepare for recovery.

Follow-Up Care Schedule

Regular follow-up care is vital to track healing and valve function. A typical schedule includes:

Follow-Up Timeframe	Purpose
1-2 weeks post-surgery	Check for surgical site healing and address any concerns
6-8 weeks post-surgery	Assess overall recovery and valve function
3-6 months post-surgery	Evaluate long-term recovery and adjust medications as needed

Understanding the recovery and rehabilitation process helps patients prepare. Knowing that surgery techniques and care have improved makes the journey easier.

Key Fact #7: Advances in Heart Valve Surgery Techniques

The field of heart valve surgery is evolving fast. New surgical methods and technology are making care better. Now, we see more minimally invasive and friendly-to-patients procedures.

Minimally Invasive Approaches

Minimally invasive heart valve surgery uses smaller cuts than old methods. This can cause less damage, less pain, and faster healing. Smaller incisions also lower infection risks and make scars less noticeable.

Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Robotic-assisted heart valve surgery uses robots to improve surgery precision. It lets surgeons do complex tasks through tiny cuts. This could lead to better results and faster healing.

Transcatheter Procedures

Transcatheter heart valve procedures replace or fix valves through a leg artery. This method avoids open-heart surgery. It’s a gentler option for patients.

Future Innovations in Valve Treatment

The future of heart valve surgery is bright. Research is exploring new materials, technologies, and methods. We might see stronger valve prosthetics and more advanced minimally invasive surgeries.

Technique	Description	Benefits
Minimally Invasive Surgery	Smaller incisions, less tissue damage	Less pain, quicker recovery
Robotic-Assisted Surgery	Enhanced precision, smaller incisions	Improved outcomes, reduced recovery time
Transcatheter Procedures	No open-heart surgery, catheter-based	Less invasive, potentially fewer complications

Conclusion: Making Informed Decisions About Heart Valve Surgery

Understanding heart valve surgery is key to making good choices about your care. We’ve looked at heart valve repair surgery and replacement. This includes the differences, the surgery process, and recovery.

Knowing about heart valve surgery helps you choose the right treatment. You can work with your healthcare team to get the best results. It’s important to talk to your doctors about whether repair or replacement is best for you.

With the right knowledge, you can help your recovery and long-term health. We suggest talking to your healthcare provider about your options. This way, you can make the best choice for your heart health.

 

 

References

• MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine): https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007408.htm
• Upstate Medical University: https://www.upstate.edu/cardiacsurgery/surgical-procedures/valve-replacement.php
• Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS): https://www.nghs.com/heart/heart-valve-surgery
• Mass General Brigham: https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/valve-disease/valve-repair-replacement