Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement Through Open Heart Surgery
One of the ways to treat a diseased aortic heart valve is by surgical aortic valve replacement. The procedure involves making an incision in the chest which gives the doctor access to the heart. The impaired aortic valve will be completely removed and replaced with a mechanical or biological valve.
The procedure requires a general anaesthesia to be administered to the patient. It also involves placing the patient on a heart and lung blood machine throughout the procedure.
While open heart surgery is a common procedure — more than 200,000 surgical valve procedures are performed globally each year — it has its risks too just as other procedures do, such as stroke, infection, bleeding, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attack, kidney problems, etc. Severe complications may lead to re-operation or death.
Open Heart Surgery: Step-by-Step2
Open Heart Surgery: Step-by-Step2
Step 1 of 4
An incision is made across the full length of the breast bone, or sternum. Open heart surgeries can be performed through smaller incisions. This gives the surgeon direct access to the heart.
You will be connected to a heart lung machine which temporarily takes over the function of the heart and maintains blood circulation throughout your body.
The surgeon will completely remove the diseased aortic valve and insert a new valve. This can be either a mechanical or biological valve.
Your doctor may use an ultrasound machine after the procedure to make sure your new valve is working properly.
Since it is considered as a major surgical operation, open heart surgery also requires a longer healing process.
We recommend that you speak to your doctor to learn more about surgical aortic valve replacement and its recovery.
Learn more about the heart valve replacement procedure and prepare yourself for what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.
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Brown JM, O’Brien SM, et al. Isolated aortic valve replacement in North America comprising 108,687 patients in 10 years: changes in risks, valve types, and outcomes in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2009;137:82–90.
Heart Valve Surgery.” British Heart Foundation, www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/treatments/valve-heart-surgery.