Heart valve surgery is open-heart surgery that is done to repair or replace diseased heart valves.
There are four valves located in the heart.
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Valve Repair
Heart surgeons at Northwestern repair your own native valve when possible. Valve repair often provides the best long-term outcome of restoring proper valve function. The most common reason for valve repair is a regurgitant, or "leaking," valve. During surgery, the valve is restored to normal function using a combination of repair techniques including a prosthetic ring which provides added support to the repaired valve.
Valve Replacement
If the heart valve is too damaged to repair, heart valve replacement is needed. During surgery, the diseased valve is removed and replaced with either a tissue (bioprosthetic) valve or mechanical valve.
Mechanical valves are made of special carbon compounds and titanium. The valves are sturdy and designed to last a lifetime. Due to the metal parts, patients need to take blood-thinning medicine known as anticoagulants for the rest of their lives. The anticoagulants prevent blood clots from forming on the metal valve. Routine blood tests are needed to make sure the medicine dose is right for you.
Bioprosthetic valves are made from animal (bovine/cow) or human tissue. Unlike mechanical valves, patients that receive bioprosthetic valves do not have to take anticoagulants. Because these valves are made from natural tissue, bioprosthetic valves do not last as long as mechanical valves. Northwestern surgeons use bioprosthetic valves made from cow tissues because research has shown that these valves are the most durable and last upwards of 15 years in most patients.
The reason to have surgery is to make your life better or longer. There are risks with every surgery, varying with each person and the procedure performed. Your risk depends on your heart function, age and overall health. Your surgeon will answer your questions and discuss in detail:
At Northwestern Memorial Hospital we tailor our approach to make sure patients receive the best operation possible at the lowest risk.
Learn more about heart valve replacement selection.
Contact
Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute
(866) 662-8467
Heart Valve Surgery
Before the Surgery
Day of the Surgery
After the Surgery
Review Date: 01/05
