Heart Valve Surgery

cardiovascular

Description

Heart valve surgery repairs or replaces damaged heart valves (aortic, mitral, tricuspid, or pulmonary) to restore proper blood flow through the heart. Valve disease can result from congenital defects, age-related calcification, rheumatic fever, or infections. Surgical options include valve repair (preserving the native valve) and replacement with mechanical or biological (tissue) valves. Minimally invasive approaches through smaller incisions are available at specialized centers. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) offers a catheter-based alternative for high-risk patients. Success rates exceed 95% at experienced centers with significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life.

What to Expect

Surgery takes 2-4 hours under general anesthesia. ICU stay is 1-3 days for cardiac monitoring. Total hospital stay is 5-10 days. Minimally invasive approaches may reduce hospital stay to 3-5 days. TAVR procedures require only 1-3 days. Your team will manage anticoagulation, monitor heart rhythm, and begin early mobilization. Echocardiography confirms valve function before discharge.

Recovery Information

Weeks 1-2: Hospital recovery with monitored walking. Weeks 2-6: Home recovery with graduated activity. Sternal precautions for 6-8 weeks if sternotomy. Weeks 6-12: Cardiac rehabilitation. Months 3-6: Return to full activities. Mechanical valves require lifelong warfarin anticoagulation with regular INR monitoring. Biological valves may not require long-term anticoagulation but have a 10-15 year lifespan. Regular echocardiographic follow-up is required for all patients.