Aortic valve surgery - open (patient information): Difference between revisions
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Blood flows out of your heart and into the aorta through a valve. This valve is called the aortic valve. It opens up so blood can flow out. It then closes, keeping blood from flowing backwards. | Blood flows out of your heart and into the aorta through a valve. This valve is called the aortic valve. It opens up so blood can flow out. It then closes, keeping blood from flowing backwards. | ||
*An aortic valve that does not close all the way allows blood to leak back into your heart. This is called aortic regurgitation. | *An aortic valve that does not close all the way allows blood to leak back into your heart. This is called [[aortic regurgitation]]. | ||
*An aortic valve that does not open fully will restrict blood flow. This is called aortic stenosis. | *An aortic valve that does not open fully will restrict blood flow. This is called [[aortic stenosis]]. | ||
In open surgery, the surgeon makes a large cut in your breastbone to reach the heart and aorta. | In open surgery, the surgeon makes a large cut in your breastbone to reach the heart and aorta. | ||
==How is Aortic valve surgery (open) done?== | ==How is Aortic valve surgery (open) done?== | ||
Before your surgery you will receive [[general anesthesia]]. This will make you unconscious and unable to feel pain. | |||
*Your surgeon will make a 10-inch-long cut in the middle of your chest. | |||
*Next, your surgeon will separate your breastbone to be able to see your heart and aorta (the main blood vessel leading from your heart to the rest of your body). | |||
*Most people are connected to a [[heart-lung bypass]] machine or bypass pump. Your heart is stopped while you are connected to this machine. This machine does the work of your heart while your heart is stopped. | |||
If your aortic valve is too damaged, you will need a new valve. This is called replacement surgery. Your surgeon will remove your aortic valve and sew a new one into place. There are two main types of new valves: | |||
*Mechanical: Made of man-made materials, such as titanium or ceramic. These valves last the longest, but you will need to take blood-thinning medicine, such as [[warfarin]]([[Coumadin]]) or [[aspirin]], for the rest of your life. | |||
*Biological: Made of human or animal tissue. These valves last 10 to 12 years, but you may not need to take blood thinners for life. | |||
Once the new valve is working, your surgeon will: | |||
*Close your heart and take you off the heart-lung machine. | |||
*Place [[catheters]] (tubes) around your heart to drain fluids that build up. | |||
*Close your breastbone with stainless steel wires. It will take about 6 weeks for the bone to heal. The wires will stay inside your body. | |||
This surgery may take 2 to 5 hours. | |||
Sometimes other procedures are done during open aortic surgery. These include: | |||
*Coronary bypass surgery | |||
*Graft of the first part of the aorta (large blood vessel leaving the heart) | |||
*Ross (or switch) procedure | |||
==Who needs Aortic valve surgery (open)?== | ==Who needs Aortic valve surgery (open)?== | ||
Revision as of 15:24, 14 December 2011
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Aortic valve surgery - open |
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Aortic valve surgery - open On the Web |
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Directions to Hospitals Performing Aortic valve surgery (open) |
For the WikiDoc page for Aortic regurgitation surgery, click here; For the WikiDoc page for Aortic stenosis surgery, clickhere
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-in-Chief: Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D. [2]
Overview
Aortic valve surgery is done to replace the aortic valve in your heart.
Blood flows out of your heart and into the aorta through a valve. This valve is called the aortic valve. It opens up so blood can flow out. It then closes, keeping blood from flowing backwards.
- An aortic valve that does not close all the way allows blood to leak back into your heart. This is called aortic regurgitation.
- An aortic valve that does not open fully will restrict blood flow. This is called aortic stenosis.
In open surgery, the surgeon makes a large cut in your breastbone to reach the heart and aorta.
How is Aortic valve surgery (open) done?
Before your surgery you will receive general anesthesia. This will make you unconscious and unable to feel pain.
- Your surgeon will make a 10-inch-long cut in the middle of your chest.
- Next, your surgeon will separate your breastbone to be able to see your heart and aorta (the main blood vessel leading from your heart to the rest of your body).
- Most people are connected to a heart-lung bypass machine or bypass pump. Your heart is stopped while you are connected to this machine. This machine does the work of your heart while your heart is stopped.
If your aortic valve is too damaged, you will need a new valve. This is called replacement surgery. Your surgeon will remove your aortic valve and sew a new one into place. There are two main types of new valves:
- Mechanical: Made of man-made materials, such as titanium or ceramic. These valves last the longest, but you will need to take blood-thinning medicine, such as warfarin(Coumadin) or aspirin, for the rest of your life.
- Biological: Made of human or animal tissue. These valves last 10 to 12 years, but you may not need to take blood thinners for life.
Once the new valve is working, your surgeon will:
- Close your heart and take you off the heart-lung machine.
- Place catheters (tubes) around your heart to drain fluids that build up.
- Close your breastbone with stainless steel wires. It will take about 6 weeks for the bone to heal. The wires will stay inside your body.
This surgery may take 2 to 5 hours.
Sometimes other procedures are done during open aortic surgery. These include:
- Coronary bypass surgery
- Graft of the first part of the aorta (large blood vessel leaving the heart)
- Ross (or switch) procedure
Who needs Aortic valve surgery (open)?
Where to find centers that perform Aortic valve surgery (open)?
Directions to Hospitals Performing Aortic valve surgery - open
What are the risks of Aortic valve surgery (open)?
Risks for any surgery are:
- Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs.
- Blood loss.
- Breathing problems.
- Infection, including in the lungs, kidneys, bladder, chest, or heart valves.
- Reactions to medicines.
Possible risks from having open-heart surgery are:
- Heart attack or stroke.
- Heart rhythm problems.
- Infection in the cut, which is more likely to happen in people who are obese, have diabetes, or have already had this surgery.
- Memory loss and loss of mental clarity, or "fuzzy thinking."
- Post-pericardiotomy syndrome, which is a low-grade fever and chest pain. This could last for up to 6 months.
What to expect before Aortic valve surgery (open)?
What to expect after Aortic valve surgery (open)?
Results
Mechanical heart valves do not fail often. They last from 12 to 20 years. However, blood clots develop on them. If a blood clot forms, you may have a stroke. Bleeding can occur, but this is rare.
Biological valves tend to fail over time. But they have a lower risk of blood clots.