Treatment
Repair
Some people with heart valve disease may experience mild symptoms, but can still live quite healthily. However, when the condition beings to affect the heart and blood flow more, it is necessary to get the heart valve repaired or replaced. Repair is preferred over replacement, as it allows the heart to function as it normally does. It also decreases IE probability. Also, it is much easier to repair than to replace. The atrioventricular valves can often be repaired, but the semi-lunar valves usually need to be completely replaced.
Surgeons can repair heart valves in 3 basic ways: Separating fused valves (for stenosis), Removing or reshaping valve so that the valve can close tighter (for regurgitation), and by patching up holes or scratches in the heart valve.
Surgeons can repair heart valves in 3 basic ways: Separating fused valves (for stenosis), Removing or reshaping valve so that the valve can close tighter (for regurgitation), and by patching up holes or scratches in the heart valve.
Balloon Valvuloplasty
With repairing the flaps or reshaping the heart valve, it requires open heart surgery, which is not preferred. However, valves can be separated using cardiac catheterization. As mentioned before, catheterization is when a tube is inserted through a part of the body, and is lead towards the heart. There, it performs balloon valvuloplasty. A catheter is inserted into the body from a selected place to reach a specified heart valve. Once there, it is slipped into the heart valve. A balloon contained in the catheter expands, pushing the leaflets of the valve aside. This reduces the effects of stenosis. This has a shorter recovery time than surgery, so it is preferred.
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Replacement
Replacements usually are done to the mitral or aortic valve (as they are much more essential). This is because the left side of the heart has to push blood to the rest of the body. As a result, its valves are under constant stress, so replacement is essential, as repair on these valves do not typically last long. In fact, 50% of patients who do not get their diseased aortic valve replaced will on average die within 2 years. As a result, over 85 000 aortic valve replacement surgeries are performed every year in the US alone.
Mechanical Valves
Mechanical valves are an option. They are usually completely prosthetic, and are made of very strong and durable materials. They last for a long time, often not needing to be replaced ever again. However, to make sure it works properly, it is essential that the patient uses a blood thinner, to avoid clots. Clots can jam up the valve easily, causing it to stop functioning, and resulting in heart attack or stroke. A woman intending to have children may not choose this, as the blood thinner may have an impact on the development of the fetus. Also, athletes will have a tougher time competing with thin blood, so it is not preferred for them either.
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Bioprosthetics
Ross Procedure
Ross procedure is an operation process which is quite efficient. It is where the patient has aortic valve problems, which are very common. The surgeon replaces the faulty aortic valve with the patient's other fully functional pulmonary valve. This works because the two valves are very similar. Also, the pulmonary valve is not under as much pressure the aortic valve, so replacing the aortic valve is more important. Replacing it with a valve from the same body is the best possible option. The pulmonary valve is replaced with another valve (mechanical, bioprosthetic).
TAVR or TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/Implantation)
One newer option is TAVR or TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/Implantation). It is unique because unlike the other replacement options, it does not require open heart surgery. This is especially beneficial to people who cannot risk it, such as elderly people. This uses the same process as balloon valvuloplasty. However, instead of a balloon, the catheter carries a collapsible heart valve. The catheter goes into the aortic valve, and pushes the new replacement valve into place. The new valve pushes away the flaps of the original valve, and begins to do its own job.
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