Glossary term · Treatment
Heart valve replacement (also: Valve replacement surgery, AVR, MVR): Heart valve replacement is surgery that removes a damaged heart valve and replaces it with a mechanical or biological prosthetic valve.
Heart valve replacement is surgery to replace a heart valve that leaks or does not open fully with a mechanical or biological (tissue) valve. MedlinePlus says the aortic valve is usually replaced rather than repaired, while the mitral valve is more often repaired. The type of valve chosen affects whether you need blood thinners for life.
What types of valve are there?
- Mechanical valves are made of metal or ceramic. MedlinePlus says they last the longest but need blood thinners such as warfarin for life.
- Biological valves are made of human or animal tissue. MedlinePlus says they typically last 12 to 15 years and usually do not need long-term blood thinners. The NHLBI notes they may need replacing.
The NHLBI says the choice depends on your age, risk factors and other medical conditions. It also notes that mechanical valves may carry additional risks during pregnancy.
How is the operation done?
Open surgery uses an incision through the breastbone and a heart-lung bypass machine. Some operations use smaller incisions, robot-assisted techniques or catheters. For the aortic valve, a catheter approach is called TAVI.
What are the risks?
MedlinePlus lists risks including heart attack, heart failure, bleeding, stroke, irregular heartbeat, kidney failure, infection and problems with breastbone healing. Your surgeon will explain your own risk.
What matters for travelling patients?
- If you will need warfarin, ask how your clotting blood tests will be monitored at home and arrange this before you fly.
- Ask for the valve’s make, model and size in writing.
- MedlinePlus notes antibiotics may be needed before dental or other invasive procedures to protect the valve. Tell your dentist at home.
- Your surgeon decides when it is safe to fly.
Questions people ask
Which valve type should I choose?
Your cardiac surgeon will explain the options for your age, health, lifestyle and plans such as pregnancy. A key practical question is whether you can reliably get blood thinner monitoring at home, because a mechanical valve needs it for life.
Is a clicking sound normal?
MedlinePlus says mechanical valves may make an audible clicking sound and that this is normal. Mention it to your doctors if it changes or worries you.
Sources
General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source. Your treating specialist decides on suitability, treatment and length of stay. How we write and check.