Heart valve repair or replacement is a critical procedure performed to address malfunctioning heart valves that impair blood flow through the heart. There are two main approaches:
✔ Valve Repair: Preserves your natural valve through reconstruction
✔ Valve Replacement: Substitutes damaged valve with prosthetic (mechanical or biological)
When is Valve Surgery Needed?
Common conditions requiring intervention:
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Aortic stenosis (narrowed valve)
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Mitral regurgitation (leaky valve)
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Valve calcification (stiffened leaflets)
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Congenital valve defects
Valve Repair vs. Replacement: Key Differences
| Repair | Replacement | |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure | Reshapes the existing valve | Implants new valve |
| Best For | Mitral/tricuspid valves | Severe aortic cases |
| Recovery | Typically faster | Longer adjustment |
| Lifespan | Natural valve durability | Mechanical: 20-30 yrs Biological: 10-15 yrs |
Surgical Approaches
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Open-Heart Surgery (Traditional)
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Sternotomy incision
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Heart-lung machine used
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Minimally Invasive
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Smaller incisions (ribcage)
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Faster recovery
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TAVI/TAVR (Transcatheter)
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For aortic valves
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No open surgery required
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Prosthetic Valve Options
Mechanical Valves
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Last decades
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Require blood thinners
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Audible clicking
Biological Valves
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From animal/human tissue
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No blood thinners
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Limited lifespan
Recovery Timeline
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Hospital Stay: 3-7 days
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Full Recovery: 6-12 weeks
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Activity Restrictions:
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No driving for 2-4 weeks
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No heavy lifting for 6 weeks
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Life After Surgery
✅ Improved energy levels
✅ Reduced symptoms (breathlessness, swelling)
✅ Long-term survival benefits
⚠ Lifelong monitoring required
