Facing coronary heart valve illness can really feel overwhelming. You could also be anxious in regards to the future. Uncertain in regards to the selections forward. The considered needing remedy and making care selections, like choosing the proper kind of restore or substitute on your diseased coronary heart valve, could be robust.
But you’re not alone. At UVA Health, our coronary heart valve specialists are able to information you. We’ll reply your questions on choices for coronary heart valve substitute. And we’ll assist you really feel assured as you’re taking the subsequent steps on your coronary heart well being. “Our workforce will take the time to make sure that all of your questions are answered from the time of your preliminary analysis by your restoration,” says Adanna C Akujuo, MD, a UVA Health coronary heart illness specialist and surgeon.
What Are Your Heart Valves?
Your coronary heart has 4 areas inside, referred to as chambers. These chambers have particular “doorways,” referred to as valves, that management how blood strikes between them. The valves open to let blood circulate a technique after which near cease it from going backward. They’re necessary for conserving your blood shifting in the precise course.
There are 4 principal valves. Together, they work like a workforce:
- Tricuspid valve lets blood circulate between the highest and backside proper chambers
- Pulmonary valve sends blood to the lungs to get oxygen
- Mitral valve lets blood circulate between the highest and backside left chambers
- Aortic valve pushes oxygen-rich blood out to your physique
What Is Heart Valve Replacement?
If your coronary heart valve illness is getting unhealthy, a coronary heart valve restore or substitute can save your life. Every yr, about 100,000 individuals within the U.S. have this process. If you want one, figuring out your choices may help you are feeling higher about making selections about it.
If your diseased valve cannot be repaired, then it seemingly must be changed. The kind of substitute valve you select depends upon your age, well being, and what works finest on your particular coronary heart valve downside.
“The UVA Health coronary heart valve workforce is on the forefront of innovation,” says Akujuo. “Given our experience, we provide many choices to deal with your coronary heart valve illness, and may present the best choice for you.”
What Happens During Heart Valve Replacement?
A coronary heart valve substitute removes a broken coronary heart valve and places in a brand new one. It helps deal with issues like:
- Aortic stenosis (when the aortic valve turns into too slim)
- Mitral regurgitation (when the mitral valve leaks blood)
- Mitral stenosis (when the mitral valve turns into too slim)
These issues could make your coronary heart work too onerous. Without remedy, they’ll result in coronary heart failure. Replacing the valve helps your coronary heart work higher and makes you are feeling more healthy.
Wondering in case you want a coronary heart valve substitute?
Talking to a coronary heart valve illness skilled may help you get a transparent image of your coronary heart well being and assist you make the precise alternative on your care.
Two Most Common Kinds of Replacement Valves
The 2 most typical kinds of substitute coronary heart valves are referred to as bioprosthetic and mechanical.
Bioprosthetic Valves
Bioprosthetic valves are created utilizing animal tissue. They might come from a cow valve (bovine coronary heart valve) or a pig valve (porcine coronary heart valve). These are handled to work safely in your physique.
Pros:
- No want for every day blood thinners. Taking blood thinners can improve your danger of bleeding.
Cons:
- They put on out over time. Younger sufferers may have one other surgical procedure.
- They can harden and cease working nicely.
These are sometimes a good selection for older sufferers, or if you wish to keep away from taking medication every single day.
Mechanical Valves
Mechanical valves are created from robust supplies like titanium and carbon.
Pros:
- They can final a lifetime, making them a great long-term answer.
- Younger sufferers typically favor them as a result of they don’t put on out simply.
Cons:
- You’ll must take blood-thinning medication every day. That prevents blood clots, however can improve bleeding danger.
- Some individuals hear a clicking sound from the valve.
Mechanical valves are perfect for youthful sufferers who desire a long-lasting answer and may handle their every day medication.
Less Common Options
These aren’t the one choices for coronary heart valve substitute. Depending in your particular coronary heart valve downside, one in every of these choices could also be a greater match.
Homograft Valves
These come from human donors and are sometimes used when there’s an an infection, like endocarditis.
Best For: Patients who want pure tissue and are in danger for problems with different valve sorts.
Ross Procedure
In this surgical procedure, your personal pulmonary valve replaces your aortic valve, and a donor valve takes the place of the pulmonary valve.
Best For: Younger sufferers or kids for the reason that valve can develop with the affected person.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
TAVR is a process the place a skinny tube is used to put a brand new valve by a blood vessel. The substitute valve is often bioprosthetic.
Best For: Aging sufferers who cannot have open-heart surgical procedure.
How Long Does Heart Valve Replacement Last?
The lifespan of a substitute coronary heart valve depends upon the kind:
- Bioprosthetic Valves: 10–20 years.
- Mechanical Valves: Over 20 years, typically a lifetime.
We may help you select the best choice primarily based in your age, way of life, and well being.
Why Choose UVA Health for Heart Valve Replacement?
At UVA Health, our skilled care and superior remedies imply nice outcomes. We’ll assist you select the precise substitute coronary heart valve on your situation, whether or not it’s a bioprosthetic aortic valve, mechanical coronary heart valve, or a special possibility. In truth, our coronary heart care is nationally acknowledged as among the finest by U.S. News and World Report, together with our aortic valve surgical procedure.
“Given our workforce method to treating your coronary heart valve illness, you could be assured that you will be guided by not solely coronary heart valve selections, however the precise method on your valve substitute, both open surgical procedure or a minimally invasive process (in between your ribs with out the necessity to open your sternum, or by catheters in your arteries or vein),” says Akujuo.
Heart valve substitute surgical procedure is a giant determination, however understanding your choices could make it much less overwhelming.