What is Valve Repair?
Heart valve repair is a surgical procedure used to fix a damaged or malfunctioning heart valve, restoring normal blood flow. Unlike valve replacement, which involves removing the damaged valve, valve repair preserves the patient's own tissue, leading to better long-term outcomes.
This procedure is commonly performed for conditions such as mitral regurgitation, aortic stenosis, and congenital valve defects.
When is Valve Repair Needed?
Valve repair is recommended for individuals experiencing:
Types of Valve Repair Procedures
There are different techniques used for valve repair based on the type of valve disease:
- Annuloplasty: Reinforcement of the valve ring using a specialized band to improve closure.
- Commissurotomy: Removal of calcium deposits or scar tissue to widen a narrowed valve.
- Leaflet Repair: Reshaping or reinforcing the valve leaflets to ensure proper closure.
- Chordal Repair: Strengthening or replacing damaged chordae tendineae (valve support structures).
- Balloon Valvuloplasty: A catheter-based technique used to widen narrowed heart valves, often performed for aortic stenosis.
The Valve Repair Procedure
The procedure typically follows these steps:
- Anesthesia: The patient is placed under general anesthesia.
- Heart Access: An incision is made to access the heart (minimally invasive options available).
- Valve Repair: The surgeon corrects the defect using the appropriate technique.
- Heart Function Testing: The heart is checked for proper function before closing the incision.
Risks and Complications
As with any surgical procedure, valve repair carries some risks:
- Bleeding: Risk of excessive blood loss.
- Infection: Possible post-surgical infections.
- Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeats may occur after surgery.
- Valve Dysfunction: In rare cases, the repaired valve may not function optimally.
- Blood Clots: Increased risk of stroke or other complications.
Recovery and Post-Surgery Care
Recovery time varies depending on the type of valve repair performed. Key aspects include:
- Hospital Stay: Typically 3-7 days, shorter for minimally invasive procedures.
- Pain Management: Medications to manage post-surgical pain.
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: A supervised program to regain strength and prevent complications.
- Medications: Blood thinners or antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent clotting or infections.
- Follow-Up Appointments: Routine monitoring to assess valve function.
Benefits of Valve Repair
Successful valve repair offers several advantages over valve replacement:
- Preserves Natural Valve Function: Reduces the need for lifelong blood thinners.
- Lower Risk of Infection: Compared to mechanical valve replacements.
- Improved Long-Term Outcomes: Longer durability compared to biological valve replacements.
- Faster Recovery: Especially with minimally invasive techniques.