Heart Valve Surgery :
An Overview

Heart valve surgery is a procedure to repair or replace one or more damaged heart valves. The heart has four valves—mitral, aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonary—that regulate blood flow. When these valves become diseased or damaged due to conditions like valve stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage), surgery may be required.

Types of Heart Valve Surgery?

1. Valve Repair – The surgeon reshapes the existing valve to improve function.
2. Valve Replacement – The damaged valve is replaced with:
• Mechanical Valves (made of metal or carbon, requiring lifelong blood thinners).
• Biological Valves (made from human or animal tissue, with a shorter lifespan).

Surgical Approaches

• Open-Heart Surgery – Traditional method with a chest incision.
• Minimally Invasive Surgery – Small incisions with quicker recovery.
• Transcatheter Valve Procedures (TAVR/TAVI, TMVR) – Catheter-based techniques for high-risk patients.

Recovery & Risks

• Hospital stay: 3–10 days, depending on the procedure.
• Risks: Infection, blood clots, valve failure, or stroke.
• Recovery: Full recovery may take weeks to months, with cardiac rehabilitation recommended.