Definition of heart valve replacement surgery
Heart Valve Replacement is a surgery used to repair or replace the diseased heart
valves. This type comes under open surgery and is done under anesthesia.
Rule number one of heart valve replacement surgery focuses on finding the right
heart surgeon. Make sure you go for the best surgeon for this kind of surgery.
Reasons for heart valve replacement surgery
Conditions which may cause mal-function of the heart valves include valvular deficiency
and valvular stenosis.
Your doctor will recommend you for heart valve surgery when:
- Your heart valves become stiff due to infection such as aching fever, aging etc
- Diagnosis shows some leakage of the heart valve which hints that less blood is pumped
in the appropriate track of the heart
You can go for an immediate heart valve test when any of the following symptoms
happen frequently:
- Continuous giddiness
- Soreness in chest
- Problems in breathing
- Swelling of the ankles, feet or abdomen
- Sudden and speedy weight gain due to fluid preservation
Risk involved
Heart Valve surgery includes risks for any anesthesia such as:
- Problems in breathing
- Allergies to medications
Other risks include:
- Hemorrhage of the surgery spot
- Infection of the surgery area
More serious risks of heart valve replacement surgery comprise of:
- Sudden death
- Severe heart attack
- Heart stroke
- Kidney failure
- Asymmetrical heartbeat
- Some temporary perplexity post surgery due to the heart-lung machine
Pre-requirement of Heart Valve Replacement Surgery
Pre-surgery requirements before heart valve replacement surgery:
- You will receive an intravenous (IV) line in your hand or arm. This IV will enable
your doctor to control fluids and medications.
- You will not be allowed to wear any jewelry, eyeglasses or contact lenses, dentures,
hearing aids etc.
- You will be given a mild sedative in the same IV preceding to the surgical procedure
Post-treatment requirements of Heart Valve Replacement Surgery
Post-treatment requirements of heart valve replacement surgery include:
- Relocating to an intensive care unit and will be continuously monitored
- Breathing will be assisted through the same catheter which was placed down your
throat and located in your lungs
- The catheter will be removed once you are steady and wakeful enough to breathe on
your own. You will not be able to talk until and unless this tube is in place.
- Other catheters will overhang from your chest near the heart to deplete extra blood
and fluid from the surgical spot
- Your doctor will keep you under IV fluids which support blood and medication as
required.
- A bladder tube will also be hanged which will drain urine
- There will be a monitor which will show the heart rate, blood pressure, heart rhythm
along with other special waves and pressures
- Medications will be given to ease away pain and anxiety post surgery
Average time of stay of heart valve replacement surgery
Every patients recovers at a different pace. One patient recovers very fast while
one may take time for recovery. However, the average hospital stay for heart valve
replacement surgery is 1-2 weeks. Nonetheless, complete recovery from surgery will
range from few weeks to months depending upon the health of the patient pre-surgery.
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