Valve Replacement Surgery

Valve Replacement Surgery

What is Valve Replacement?

Valve replacement replaces damaged heart valves with artificial or biological valves to restore normal blood flow.

Why is it Done?

• Severe valve narrowing (stenosis)
  
• Valve leakage (regurgitation)
  
• Symptoms like breathlessness, fatigue

Procedure Overview

• General anesthesia
  
• Open-heart or minimally invasive approach
  
• Diseased valve removed and replaced
  
• Heart restarted and incision closed

Types of Valves

• Mechanical valves (durable, lifelong)
  
• Tissue valves (less durable, no lifelong blood thinners)

Recovery

• Hospital stay ~5–7 days
  
• Lifelong follow-up
  
• Possible blood thinner use

Risks

• Bleeding
  
• Infection
  
• Stroke

Conclusion

Valve surgery transforms lives. Heritage Hospital’s cardiothoracic team offers expertise in advanced valve repair and replacement techniques.