A heart valve problem develops when one or more of the four heart valves (aortic, mitral, tricuspid, or pulmonary) fail to function properly. Surgical interventions are necessary if other medical treatments are not working. Heart Valve Surgery in Delhi is typically divided into four categories:
Here are common heart valve surgeries:
- Valve Repair Surgery
If the damage is moderate and the native valve structure is repaired, surgeons may recommend repair rather than replacement. Repair helps the valve, maintains heart function, and often reduces the need for long-term medications.
Common valve repair methods such as:
- Annuloplasty: A supportive ring is stitched around the valve’s orifice to restore proper shape and support.
- Valvuloplasty or Balloon valvuloplasty: A catheter with a flattened balloon is passed through the valve and inflated to widen a narrowed valve.
- Leaflet repair or chordal repair: Repairing or reshaping the leaflets or supporting cords to improve closure.
Repair procedures are ideal when feasible, as they typically involve fewer complications than replacement.
- Valve Replacement Surgery
When a valve is very much damaged and can’t be repaired, it must be replaced with an artificial valve. Surgeons may suggest:
- Mechanical valves: Built from carbon or metal components. They are very durable and often last for a long time, but usually require lifelong anticoagulants.
- Biological valves: Designed from animal tissue (porcine or bovine) or human donor valves (homograft). These often avoid lifelong anticoagulation requirements but tend to wear out over time.
The best option depends on a patient’s age, lifestyle, risk of bleeding, ability to manage medications, and life expectancy. Open-heart surgery or sometimes, catheter-based techniques can be used for replacement.
- TAVR – Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
TAVR is a minimally invasive option, particularly for treating the aortic valve. Instead of opening the chest, a catheter is used to insert a new valve through the blood vessels. It is especially useful for older patients or those who are at higher risk for open-heart surgery.
TVAR patients experience faster recovery and shorter hospital stays. However, TAVR is performed only in certain anatomical scenarios and when the aortic valve is the target. It is not suitable for all patients.
- Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery
In place of a full sternotomy, in a minimally invasive method, the surgeon creates small incisions (e.g., through the side of the chest or between ribs). It is performed for both repair and replacement procedures. It offers several benefits, including a less invasive approach, reduced infection risk, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery.
Not every patient is ideal for these methods; the choice depends on the severity of valve disease, the presence of multiple valves involved, or other cardiac-associated diseases.
Conclusion
Each option has its benefits and side effects. The choice is based on the affected valve, the severity of the damage, patient factors such as age and bleeding risk, and overall heart health.
