Heart Valve Replacement Options
Heart Valve Replacement at low cost and high quality is now within reach through WorldMed Assist. Our nurses arrange all aspects of your treatment and will act as your patient advocate. We have partnerships with some of the best hospitals in the US and abroad: hospitals that are accredited (JCAHO/ Joint Commission International) and, if the hospitals are outside the US, have strategic relationships with renowned US medical institutions such as Johns Hopkins and Harvard Medical.
Most importantly, we provide you with a personal touch from start until well after your procedures is completed.
Options for quality heart valve replacement include:
- Heart valve replacement in the U.S.
- Heart valve replacement India
- Heart valve replacement Turkey
- Heart valve replacement Mexico
We also provide information on heart valve replacement cost:
What is Heart Valve Replacement?
Heart Valve Surgical Procedure
Heart valve surgery is needed when a heart valve doesn’t work right. A valve may not open all the way. Or, a valve may have problems closing. If this happens, blood doesn’t move through the heart’s chambers the way it should. If a valve doesn’t open all the way, less blood moves through to the next chamber. If a valve doesn’t close tightly, blood may leak backward. These problems may mean that the heart must work harder to pump the same amount of blood. Or, blood may back up in the lungs or body because it’s not moving through the heart as it should. During heart valve replacement, one or more valves are replaced. Thus there are several different types of heart valve replacement procedures, such as aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, and others. Repair means that the valve is mended to help it work better. Replacement means your diseased valve is removed and a new valve is inserted in its place. Whether a valve will be repaired or replaced can only be decided once surgery has begun.
Heart Valve Replacement Preparation
To prepare for coronary bypass surgery, we require detailed medical information in the form of a medical questionnaire, ECG, Pulmonary tests and blood work. In some cases an Angiogram is required. All of this information will allow the doctors that we work with to determine your eligibility for the procedure. Your doctor will give you specific instructions about any dietary changes or activity restrictions you should follow before surgery. As part of the pre-surgery tests done at our partner hospitals, you will again receive chest X-rays, blood tests, an electrocardiogram and a coronary angiogram, which is a special type of X-ray procedure that uses dye to visualize the arteries that feed your heart.
How is Heart Valve Replacement done?
Traditional heart valve replacement
During traditional heart valve surgery, a surgeon will make an incision down the center of your sternum (breastbone) to get direct access to your heart. The surgeon then repairs or replaces your abnormal heart valve or valves.
Minimally invasive heart valve replacement
Minimally invasive surgery is a type of heart valve replacement performed through smaller incisions. This type of surgery reduces blood loss, trauma, and length of hospital stay. Heart valve surgery is the most common minimally invasive procedure. Your surgeon will review your diagnostic tests prior to your surgery to see if you are a candidate for minimally invasive valve surgery.
Heart valve prostheses
Two kinds of prosthetic heart valves are available:
- Mechanical valves are created from man-made materials. Lifetime therapy with an anticoagulant (sometimes called a “blood thinner”) is needed when these types of valves are used. This medication prevents blood clots from forming on or around the valve.
- Biological (tissue) valves are taken from pig, cow, or human donors. These valves don’t last as long as mechanical valves. But when tissue valves are used, long-term use of an anticoagulant often isn’t needed.
Your doctor will talk with you about choosing the best valve for you. Factors weighed include your age, your occupation, the size of your valve, how well your heart is working, your heart’s rhythm, your ability to take an anticoagulant, and how many new valves you need.
Heart Valve Replacement Recovery
You’ll remain hospitalized for about 10 days while your heart is monitored and your vital signs are checked frequently. Your doctor will likely prescribe medications (anticoagulants) to prevent blood clots, relax your arteries and protect against coronary spasms. The hospital stay in our partner hospitals is much longer than what is normally provided, which gives your doctor adequate time to monitor your recovery. Your doctor will advise you to walk or to do other physical activities, increasing gradually in order to regain your strength and return to a normal, active lifestyle.
Most individuals who have sedentary jobs can return to work in four to six weeks.
Those who have physically demanding jobs will have to wait longer.
Additionally, your doctor will not want you to drive a car for six weeks.
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