Aortic Valve Surgery

Heart Experts Offer Specialized Aortic Valve Surgery

The aortic valve is one of four in the heart that controls blood flow. Specifically, the aortic valve allows blood to flow into the body’s main artery, known as the aorta, so that it can be pumped out to your entire body.

When this valve malfunctions, issues in blood flow cause the heart to work harder to pump and push blood out. This can lead to a variety of complications, some severe.

We carefully assess the unique factors of your condition to determine whether surgery is an appropriate treatment option. Multiple factors that affect whether surgery is right for you include the severity of the disease, your age and health and whether there are other heart-related conditions to address.

Surgical aortic valve repair or replacement can improve blood flow through the heart, reduce any symptoms associated with the disease and prolong life.

Symptoms of aortic valve disease

Some patients may not experience any symptoms until valvular dysfunction becomes quite severe. The following are symptoms that you may experience and have evaluated by your medical provider:

• Chest pain
• Feeling short of breath
• Difficulty breathing when lying flat
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Fainting
• Decline in activity or exercise tolerance
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Swollen legs and/or feet

Who needs aortic valve repair or replacement?

When the aortic valve is damaged or diseased, it may not function properly, resulting in the heart working harder to do its job.

The conditions that cause aortic valve dysfunction include:

• Aortic valve regurgitation, where the valve leaflets become weak or damaged, resulting in a leaky valve. This allows blood to leak backward rather than in the normal forward direction and causes the heart to work harder due to the extra volume of blood in the heart’s main pumping chamber. With time, it may become thickened and weaker resulting in heart failure.
• Aortic valve stenosis, the most common valve disease problem. This occurs when the aortic valve becomes stenotic, resulting in a severe narrowing or complete blockage of the valve so it can’t open fully and pump the proper amount of blood out to the rest of the body. The most common reason that causes aortic stenosis is due to aging, but other causes could be related to infection or certain inherited or chronic conditions.
• Congenital heart defect, known as bicuspid aortic stenosis, occurs when the aortic valve only has two leaflets as opposed to the normal three leaflets. These two leaflets are thicker and stiffer, which interferes with the normal opening of the aortic valve.

Types of aortic valve surgery 

The condition being treated will determine whether aortic valve repair or replacement is best for you. Typically, aortic valve replacement is performed for aortic stenosis, and aortic valve repair is performed for aortic regurgitation.

• Aortic valve replacement will require either a mechanical (artificial) valve or a biological valve (made from human or animal tissue) to be implanted. Mechanical valves tend to last longer but require blood-thinning medication to be taken for the rest of your life. Your cardiac surgeon will discuss the pros and cons of both types of valves to help you decide which is the best option for you.
• Aortic valve repair involves reshaping or removing tissue so the valve can close properly, separating fused valve leaflets, or repairing holes or tears in the valve leaflets
• Aortic valve repair or replacement combined with aorta surgery may be needed if you have both aortic valve disease and an aneurysm or enlargement of the aortic root or ascending aorta.

Aortic valve surgical options

• Traditional, open-heart surgery involves making a large incision down the center of your chest or breastbone so your heart can be accessed directly.
• Minimally invasive heart surgery is performed through several smaller incisions and typically involves a shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery time. If the surgeon must perform additional procedures besides replacing or repairing the valve, you will not be a candidate for minimally invasive surgery. Based on your age and other health conditions, your surgeon may recommend another minimally invasive option called TAVR — or transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Cardiac rehabilitation after aortic valve surgery

To assist in regaining your strength after surgery, your cardiac surgeon will recommend Cardiac Rehab at one of Wellstar’s many outpatient locations. The Cardiac Rehab team will work with you to develop an exercise regimen, monitor you during your exercise sessions and provide support and education to help you live a healthier life.

Learn more about Wellstar’s advanced cardiovascular surgery program.