how to repair a damaged heart valve

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For patients approximately 40 years old at the time of surgery, the life expectancy was reduced by 20 years compared to that of general population. 3 This data suggests that a 42-year-old patient undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a tissue valve is expected to live to 58 years of age.

How long do you live after heart valve replacement?

• Right mini-thoracotomy. The surgeon inserts special instruments and repairs the valve through a 2- to 3-inch incision in a skin fold on the right side of the chest.
• Partial upper sternotomy. This also involves a 2- to 3-inch incision, this time in the upper portion of the sternum. ...
• Robotically assisted mitral valve repair. ...

What is the treatment for a bad heart valve?

• Physical activity is one of the best things you can do to strengthen your heart. ...
• Avoid a sedentary lifestyle. ...
• Try going on a 30-minute walk every day. ...
• We love yoga, hiking, biking, and gardening.
• Aerobic exercise is one of the things you can do to strengthen your heart. ...
• Any level of exercise that you can do will be beneficial. ...

How to strengthen heart valves naturally?

• you can be a passenger in a car straight away
• you should not drive for 6 weeks – wait until you can comfortably do an emergency stop, and tell your insurer that you have had heart surgery
• you can have sex after 6 weeks – make sure you feel strong enough first and are able to do light work such as 15 minutes of brisk walking

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What is the recovery time for heart valve replacement surgery?

Can damaged heart valves repair themselves?

Unfortunately, heart valves do not tend to heal themselves. It is true that some infants born with heart murmurs will eventually grow out of the murmur as the heart matures.

What happens if you have a damaged heart valve?

Heart valves can develop both regurgitation and stenosis at the same time. Also, more than one heart valve can be affected at the same time. When heart valves fail to open and close properly, the effects on the heart can be serious, possibly hampering the heart's ability to pump enough blood through the body.

Can you repair a heart valve without surgery?

While this condition can lead to serious health problems, it is treatable – even more so these days due to a minimally invasive procedure using the MitraClip. This FDA-approved device allows physicians to fix faulty heart valves without doing open heart surgery.

How is a damaged heart valve treated?

A minimally invasive procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be used to replace a damaged aortic valve. In this procedure, the doctor inserts a long, thin tube (catheter) into an artery in your leg or chest and guides it to the heart valve.

How can I strengthen my heart valve naturally?

9 Natural Ways to Strengthen Your Heart ValvesLook at Your Plate. ... Pop Some Fish Oil. ... Keep Your Weight in Check. ... Decrease Salt Intake. ... Get Better Sleep. ... Move Around. ... Try Meditation. ... Up Your Dental Hygiene.More items...•

Can a heart valve be replaced without open heart surgery?

A minimally invasive mitral valve replacement is a procedure to replace a poorly working mitral valve with an artificial valve without the need for open heart surgery.

Is it better to repair or replace a heart valve?

Replacing it can actually decrease your heart function. Not only does a repair let you keep your own valve, but it improves survival rates and carries a lower risk of: Bleeding. Thromboembolism, which is a blood clot in a vein or artery.

Which heart valve can you live without?

You may not have any symptoms of a bicuspid aortic valve. You could live many years without even knowing your anatomy is different. But over time, you may develop symptoms of aortic regurgitation or stenosis. If your child has a bicuspid aortic valve, you may notice symptoms soon after birth (in severe cases).

How long does heart valve surgery take?

The surgery will take at least two hours or longer, depending upon the number of valves that need to be repaired or replaced. You will wake up in the recovery room or an intensive care unit (ICU). You will stay in the hospital for about a week.

What are the signs of heart valve problems?

Some physical signs of heart valve disease can include: Chest pain or palpitations (rapid rhythms or skips) Shortness of breath, difficulty catching your breath, fatigue, weakness, or inability to maintain regular activity level. Lightheadedness or fainting. Swollen ankles, feet or abdomen.

What causes heart valve damage?

Other causes of valve disease include: coronary artery disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), syphilis (a sexually transmitted disease), high blood pressure, aortic aneurysms, and connective tissue diseases. Less common causes of valve disease include tumors, some types of drugs, and radiation.

How long is recovery from heart valve repair?

It takes about four to eight weeks to recover from heart valve surgery. But your recovery may be shorter if you had minimally invasive surgery or surgery through a vein.

How long can you live with a damaged heart valve?

The chances of survival in an untreated heart valve disease are poor. Aortic stenosis (AS): Patients with severe AS develop symptoms in 3 to 5 years. Around 75% of patients with unoperated aortic stenosis may die 3 years after the onset of symptoms.

What are signs of heart valve problems?

Some physical signs of heart valve disease can include: Chest pain or palpitations (rapid rhythms or skips) Shortness of breath, difficulty catching your breath, fatigue, weakness, or inability to maintain regular activity level. Lightheadedness or fainting. Swollen ankles, feet or abdomen.

Is it better to repair or replace a heart valve?

Replacing it can actually decrease your heart function. Not only does a repair let you keep your own valve, but it improves survival rates and carries a lower risk of: Bleeding. Thromboembolism, which is a blood clot in a vein or artery.

Is a faulty heart valve serious?

If not treated, it can be life-threatening, causing heart failure, a heart attack or other serious heart problems. If you have heart valve disease, or have had a valve repaired or replaced, you're more likely to develop endocarditis, which is usually caused by bacteria.

Why might I need heart valve repair or replacement surgery?

Valve repair or replacement surgery is done to correct the problems caused by one or more diseased heart valves.

What causes a heart valve to be stiff?

Conditions that may cause heart valve dysfunction are valve stenosis (stiffness) and valve regurgitation (leaky valve). When one (or more) valve (s) becomes stenotic (stiff), the heart has to work harder to pump the blood through the valve. Valves can become narrow and stiff from infection (such as rheumatic fever or staph) and aging.

What are the valves that keep blood flowing forward?

Valves between each of the heart's pumping chambers keep blood flowing forward through the heart. Tricuspid valve. Located between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Pulmonary valve. Located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. Mitral valve. Located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. Aortic valve.

Why do valves get narrow?

Valves can become narrow and stiff from infection (such as rheumatic fever or staph) and aging. If one or more valves become leaky, blood leaks backwards, which means less blood is pumped in the right direction.

How often should you take deep breaths after a breathing tube is out?

After the breathing tube is out, a nurse will help you cough and take deep breaths every couple of hours. This will be uncomfortable due to soreness, but it is very important that you do this to keep mucus from collecting in your lungs and possibly causing pneumonia. Your nurse will show you how to hug a pillow tightly against your chest while coughing to help ease the discomfort.

Where is the mitral valve located?

Mitral valve. Located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. Aortic valve. Located between the left ventricle and the aorta. When valves are damaged or diseased and do not work the way they should they may need to be repaired or replaced.

Can a heart valve be repaired?

Based on your symptoms and the overall condition of your heart, your healthcare provider may decide that the diseased valve (s) needs to be surgically repaired or replaced. Traditionally, open-heart surgery is used to repair or replace heart valves.

The COAPT Trial: More Data on the MitraClip

Chest radiograph showing two MitraClips projecting over the heart This major multi-center trial will evaluate the MitraClip, the first catheter-based treatment for patients with MR whose valves leak due to depressed heart function. The MitraClip was patented by physicians at NYP/Columbia.

The GDS Accucinch: An Adjustable Solution

A second trial will focus on the GDS Accucinch System—another new transcatheter approach to mitral valve repair. This device was designed to reduce congestive heart failure in MR patients who aren’t healthy enough for surgery.

The Neochord System: Artificial Muscles Support the Valve

The Neochord System uses artificial muscles to repair this defect. These cords can be applied without the use of a heartlung machine. They are placed on the diseased portion of the mitral valve through a small incision in the chest. A national trial of this device will begin in early 2017, and will be led by Dr.

Advances in Mitral Valve Replacement

Rendering of Mechanical Valve Mitral valve repair has long been considered preferable to replacement because the valve is intimately connected to the functional anatomy of the left ventricle. However, when repair can’t be performed successfully mitral valve replacement is an option.

Why would a doctor rather repair a heart valve than replace it?

Most doctors would rather repair the damaged valve than replace it because fixing it is easier on your heart. You're likely to recover more quickly after valve repair surgery, and you won't need to take a blood-thinner for the rest of your life as you would if your damaged heart valve was replaced.

How to replace a valve?

Other ways a valve can be replaced include: 1 Ross Procedure: A diseased aortic valve is replaced with your pulmonary valve, which is the same shape. You'll get a new pulmonary valve from a human donor. This can be a good choice for children because their "new" valve will grow as they do. But it's a complicated surgery, and in some cases, the valves stop working within a few years. 2 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): This new procedure, also known as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), is easier on your body than open heart surgery. It's done through small cuts, so your chest bones don't have to be separated. A new flexible valve is carried to your heart through a thin tube.

What is a TAVR?

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): This new procedure, also known as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), is easier on your body than open heart surgery. It's done through small cuts, so your chest bones don't have to be separated. A new flexible valve is carried to your heart through a thin tube.

Why does my heart valve leak?

A leaky heart valve lets blood flow in two directions when it should flow in only one. This happens when something is wrong with the valve's flaps, or leaflets, which control the flow and direction of blood . This can make your heart work harder and keep it from pumping the right amount of blood.

How long does it take to recover from heart valve surgery?

Most people recover from heart valve surgery over several months.

How long do valves last?

Some valves are made from specially treated tissue from the heart of a pig, a cow, or a person. These may only last 10 to 15 years. Other valves are synthetic. These "mechanical" valves last longer, but you'll need to take a drug that keeps blood clots from forming on it. Other ways a valve can be replaced include:

How long does it take to get energy back after heart valve replacement?

Once your heart valve has been repaired or replaced, your doctor will want you to walk, eat, and drink again as soon as possible. But it'll be a few weeks before you get your energy back.

What is the best way to repair a heart valve?

Many surgical approaches can be used to repair or replace heart valves, including open-heart surgery or minimally invasive heart surgery. Your treatment depends on several factors, including your age, your health, the condition of the affected heart valve and the severity of your condition.

How to treat a narrowed heart valve?

Doctors might treat a valve with a narrowed opening with a catheter procedure called a balloon valvuloplasty. A doctor inserts a catheter with a balloon on the tip into an artery in your arm or groin and guides it to the affected valve. The balloon is inflated, which expands the opening of the heart valve.

How is heart valve surgery performed?

Heart valve surgery can be performed using standard open-heart surgery, which involves cutting your chest through your breastbone. Minimally invasive heart surgery involves smaller incisions than those used in open-heart surgery.

What are the four valves that keep blood flowing in the correct direction?

Heart valve disease involves at least one of the four heart valves not working properly. Heart valves keep blood flowing in the correct direction through your heart. The four valves are the mitral valve, tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve and aortic valve. Each valve has flaps — called leaflets for the mitral and tricuspid valves and cusps for ...

What is the procedure to repair a mitral valve?

In mitral valve repair, the surgeon removes and repairs part of the damaged mitral valve to allow the valve to fully close and stop leaking. The surgeon may tighten or reinforce the ring around a valve (annulus) by implanting an artificial ring (annuloplasty band).

What is a biological valve replacement?

In a biological valve replacement, a biological or tissue valve replaces the damaged valve. In a mechanical valve replacement, a mechanical valve replaces the damaged valve. If your heart valve can't be repaired and a catheter-based procedure is not feasible, the valve might need to be replaced.

How often do heart valve flaps close?

These flaps open and close once during each heartbeat. Valves that don't open or close properly disrupt blood flow through your heart to your body. In heart valve surgery, your surgeon repairs or replaces the affected heart valves.

How is heart valve surgery done?

Heart valve surgery is usually performed through a cut (incision) in the chest. Doctors sometimes do minimally invasive heart surgery, which involves smaller incisions than those made for open-heart surgery. In some medical centers, doctors perform robot-assisted heart surgery, a type of minimally invasive heart surgery in which surgeons use robotic instruments to conduct the procedure.

What test is used to diagnose heart valve disease?

In a physical examination, your doctor will likely listen for a heart murmur, as this can be a sign of a heart valve condition. Your doctor may order several tests to diagnose your condition. Tests may include: Echocardiography.

How do surgeons tighten annulus?

Surgeons often tighten or reinforce the ring around a valve (annulus) by implanting an artificial ring. In some cases, doctors use less invasive procedures to repair certain valves using long, thin tubes (catheters). These procedures can involve the use of clips, plugs or other devices.

What tests are used to measure heart rate?

Exercise tests or stress tests. Different exercise tests help measure your activity tolerance and monitor your heart's response to physical exertion. If you are unable to exercise, medications to mimic the effect of exercise on your heart may be used. Cardiac catheterization.

Can a tavr valve be repaired?

Some TAVR valves are self-expanding. If the valve can't be repaired, surgeons may perform heart valve replacement. In heart valve replacement, your surgeon removes the damaged valve and replaces it with a mechanical valve or a valve made from cow, pig or human heart tissue (biological or tissue valve).

Can you get pregnant with heart valve disease?

For women with heart valve disease, talk with your doctor before you become pregnant. Your doctor can discuss with you which medications you can safely take, and whether you need a procedure to treat your valve condition before pregnancy.

Can you have heart valve surgery if you are not experiencing symptoms?

Doctors may suggest heart valve surgery even if you aren't experiencing symptoms, as this may prevent complications and improve outcomes. If you need surgery for another heart condition, your doctor may repair or replace the diseased valve at the same time.

What is the best way to repair a valve?

When the valve is damaged, surgeons typically replace it, either with a mechanical valve or one taken from a pig or cow. But Woo, professor and chair of cardiothoracic surgery at Stanford, is a strong advocate for natural valve repair, or the use of a patient's own tissue to reshape and rebuild the valve to restore it to normal function.

How does Woo repair a heart valve?

He replaces the damaged aorta with a Dacron tube, then reimplants the valve back into the new vessel, using very fine sutures and tools. Most surgeons won't attempt this kind of repair, which is very challenging, but Woo knows the patient will do better if he retains his own tissues, rather than having to live with mechanical or animal parts.

What is Woo's approach to repair?

Though some conditions simply don't allow for repair, Woo takes an "all-repair" approach, trying to consider each patient a possible candidate. He often gives talks to cardiologists and heart surgeons throughout the world, promoting this idea and repair techniques.

When did mitral valve repair start?

Mitral valve repair, which originated in the 1980s , has become a more common procedure in recent years, with multiple studies showing it has many benefits over valve replacement, as patients are more likely to survive, spend less time in the hospital and suffer fewer complications, such as infection and stroke.

Is aortic valve repair a nut?

But aortic valve repair is newer and less commonly performed, as this valve is a "difficult nut to crack," as one noted heart surgeon told me. For one, the aortic valve has three flaps, also known as leaflets, which all have to be evenly aligned for it to open and close properly. And there's less tissue to work with in redesigning the valve, Woo says.

How to repair a leaking heart valve?

These issues can be fixed using surgery or a catheter procedure to perform aortic valve repair by inserting a plug or device to fix a leaking replacement heart valve.

How to repair aortic valve?

Doctors wire the bone back together after the procedure to prevent movement and aid in healing.

Why does the left ventricle leak backwards?

Why it's done. In aortic valve regurgitation, the aortic valve doesn't close properly, causing blood to leak backward into the left ventricle. Aortic valve stenosis is a defect that narrows or obstructs the aortic valve opening, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood into the body's main artery (aorta).

Why does the aortic valve close?

When the ventricle relaxes, the aortic valve closes to prevent blood from flowing backward into the ventricle. When the aortic valve isn't working properly, it can interfere with blood flow and force the heart to work harder to send blood to the rest of your body.

What causes blood to leak backwards into the left ventricle?

In aortic valve regurgitation, the aortic valve doesn't close properly, causing blood to leak backward into the left ventricle.

What happens when the aortic valve isn't working properly?

When the aortic valve isn't working properly, it can interfere with blood flow and force the heart to work harder to send blood to the rest of your body.

What are the valves that pump blood out of the heart?

The heart valves, which keep blood flowing in the right direction, are gates at the chamber openings. Aortic valve repair and aortic valve replacement are procedures that treat diseases affecting the aortic valve, one of four valves ...

Why do we need to get a heart valve checked?

Newer Heart Valve Surgery Options. One important reason to track any possible valve disease-related symptoms and get regular check-ups – especially as we age – is to ensure any developing valve problems can be identified and treated as soon as possible . Medications can be prescribed to increase the heart’s ability to pump blood which may help ...

What are the benefits of a heart surgery?

Less trauma to the chest and heart muscle tissue . Reduced length of hospital stay. Decreased recovery time. Of course, everyone wants less pain and a shorter recovery time. But everyone also wants the best possible outcome and the longest, healthiest life as a result.

What if open-heart surgery is too risky for me?

There’s good news if you or someone you love needs a new heart valve and you have been told open-heart surgery is too risky. People with severe aortic stenosis may be good candidates for a less invasive replacement called a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), also called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). If you have mitral regurgitation, you may be a candidate for transcatheter mitral valve repair, also known as transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER).

What is the tube called that is used to access the mitral valve?

During this minimally invasive procedure, doctors access the mitral valve with a thin tube (called a catheter) that is guided through a vein in your leg to reach your heart.

What is the purpose of a clip on the mitral valve?

A small, implanted clip is attached to your mitral valve to help it close more completely. This helps to restore normal blood flow through your heart.

Can you have a heart valve replaced with open heart surgery?

There’s good news if you or someone you love needs a new heart valve and you have been told open-heart surgery is too risky. People with severe aortic stenosis may be good candidates for a less invasive replacement called a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), also called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). If you have mitral regurgitation, you may be a candidate for transcatheter mitral valve repair, also known as transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER).

Is a valve replacement invasive?

This helps to restore normal blood flow through your heart. Although minimally invasive procedure s are not without risks, they provide beneficial treatment options to people who would not have been considered for valve replacement.

What is heart valve replacement?

Heart valve replacement involves either open-heart surgery or a minimally invasive procedure. It will depend on the particulars of your case. There are two categories of replacement valves: mechanical and biologic.

What can go wrong with your heart’s valves?

The valves may have problems from birth, or your lifestyle choices and behavior may prompt a need for surgical intervention later in life.

How many cusps are in the aortic valve?

Typically, the aortic valve is made up of three cusps or flaps. But some — up to 2% of the general population — are born with only two cusps (bicuspid aortic valve). “This difference forces the heart to pump harder,” Dr. Burns says.

What is the tricuspid valve?

It connects the right atrium to the right ventricle and allows for returning blood to the lungs for oxygenation. “In most cases, repair often is the best option for the tricuspid valve,” Dr. Burns says. Leaking is the most common problem; narrowing is rare.

Why does my aorta narrow?

Aortic valve narrowing is usually caused by calcium buildup or scarring that happens naturally as you age. It is less common for the aortic valve to leak.

How long do mechanical valves last?

Biologic valves don’t require blood thinners long-term, but they are not as durable. “In most cases, you’ll need a new replacement every 10 to 15 years ,” Dr. Burns says.

What factors are considered when deciding whether to repair tricuspid valve?

When deciding whether to repair your tricuspid or pulmonary valve, your surgeon will consider several factors, including: The severity of the disease. Your age and overall health. Whether you need surgery for any other heart problem.

Overview

Why It's Done

Risks

How You Prepare

What You Can Expect

• During the procedure
  You'll receive anesthetics to put you in a sleep-like state during the procedure. You'll be connected to a heart-lung bypass machine, which keeps blood moving through your body during the procedure. Heart valve surgery can be performed using standard open-heart surgery, which invol…
• Heart valve repair
  Your doctor may often recommend heart valve repair when possible, as it saves the heart valve and may preserve heart function. Heart valve repair surgery may include: 1. Patching holes in a valve 2. Reconnecting valve flaps (leaflets or cusps) 3. Removing excess valve tissue so that th…

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