Aortic valve replacement

This surgery replaces a damaged aortic valve with a mechanical or biological replacement valve, reducing symptoms like fatigue, chest pain and breathlessness. You may need it if you have aortic stenosis (when the valve opening narrows, diminishing blood flow) or aortic regurgitation (when blood leaks back through the valve).

Who Is A Candidate?

You may need the surgery if you have aortic stenosis and are experiencing symptoms. People with severe aortic regurgitation are also candidates.

What Happens During Surgery?

The surgery may be performed as an open procedure through a large incision in the chest, or as a minimally invasive procedure done through several small incisions. Patients are put on a heart-lung bypass machine while the valve is being replaced.

What Are the Risks?

Patients may develop blood clots or breathing problems. Heart attack, stroke, infection, bleeding, heart rhythm problems, muddled thinking and post-pericardiotomy syndrome, which involves persistent fever and chest pain, may also occur.

To learn more, please call 833-271-0338.

SOURCES: AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY; AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION; NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD INSTITUTE; THE SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR ANGIOGRAPHY AND INTERVENTIONS