About Heart Valve Surgery

One of the most important organs of the human body is the heart. It has been designed to pump in and out blood 24/7/365. Asleep or awake, it is the heart that humans depend upon. The heart tends to operate without any effort or conscious decision.

But this operation of the heart can be hindered by valve diseases. The heart valves are actually thin tissue flaps which close and open for allowing blood to properly flow through the heart. With the pumping of the heart, the valves tend to stretch forth and back, thus keeping blood flow in the correct direction. They also work very hard, trying to match every heart beat taken. Heart valve replacement surgery cost in India being low, patients can now be fortunate enough to lead a normal, happy life.

Heart valve disease

Disease in the heart valve could cause valves not to fully open up for allowing free flow of blood. The opposite could also happen, with the valves not closing fully as it is expected to be. Blood leaks may take place between chambers, which is not to be. The heart valve disease could probably cause heart to work much harder, thus leading to heart failure.

The disease could be present at birth, causing problems silently with the growth of the child. These diseases could also be caused much later in life due to heart attacks, infections, heart diseases and heart damage.

At times, the disease could be minor in nature, for which treatment will not be deemed necessary. Other times, the heart valve disease could need undergoing of medical procedure or taking of prescription drugs. With Heart valve replacement surgery cost getting reduced, one can choose the option to replace or repair the problematic valve.

Surgical process

It is in one or probably two ways that heart valve surgical procedure could be undertaken. The qualified surgeon might repair the valve. He may also have it taken out completely and get it replaced with an artificial one. Usually, mitral valves can be repaired and kept back where it belongs to. Artificial valves will be needed for replacing aortic valves.

Once the decision to perform the surgery is undertaken jointly by the patient and the cardiologist, the different options are to be considered with regards to the type of artificial valve to be used: mechanical or biological.

• Biological valves: Such heart valves are created from animals or humans. They are often created from the aortic valves of pig.
• Mechanical valves: These valves are created from pyrolytic carbon, plastic and metal. These are stated to be quite strong and also durable.

Heart valve surgical complications

There may arise some complications post heart valve surgery. Such problems are generally linked with the artificial valve type that is used. Even though, little difference exists among the types of valves that exist, the surgeons are known to prefer one particular type over the other, due to the manner by which it has been sewed into its place.