Aortic Valve Repair, Replacement and Surgery

Aortic valve surgery is usually done on patients who have a leaking aortic valve. In many cases, surgery to repair, or replace, the existing valve is the only option. The faulty valve, in severe cases, is not functioning properly and in is allowing blood to regurgitate. When talking about aortic valve repair, replacement and surgery there are a few options. First off, the surgery could consist of repairing an already existing valve. This will most often consist of a surgeon reinforcing the aortic valve to ensure that is working correctly. Reinforcing the valve will give it the strength it needs to open fully or close completely. The next option is aortic valve replacement. The valve will either be replaced with an artificial valve or a valve made out of donated human tissue or animal tissue. The doctor will make the call on which kind of valve replacement is right for your situation.
Aortic Valve Repair

* Repair of the structural support. This is when the surgeon will shorten the cords that support the valves. When theses valves are shorter it will allow the aortic valve to close completely.
* Reshaping is where the aortic valve is cut and then sewn back together in a new shape. Reshaping the aortic valve will allow it function properly. When the valve becomes misshaped it cab have difficulty regulating blood flow.

Aortic Valve Replacement

* A mechanical valve will be put in place of your natural aortic valve. These mechanical valves are made out of polymers or metals. The mechanical valves are very safe and will ideally last for a lifetime.
* Using human donated tissue or animal tissue is a permanent solution to a faulty aortic valve. The tissue will be used in place of the pre-existing aortic valve. Surgery that involves using tissue is very effective at first but gradually becomes weaker and weaker as time goes by. The aortic valve will need to be replaced every 10 to 20 years if tissue is used.
* A small incision of 3 or 4 inches will be made on the chest. The incision will act as the entry point that the surgeon will use in order to insert the new aortic valve.

Aortic valve repair, replacement and surgery should be a serious consideration if your aortic valve is leaking or not functioning properly otherwise. Make sure to work with a qualified surgeon in order to get the best, most effective results.

Aortic Valve

Aortic valve

What an aortic valve is:

The heart valve present in between the left ventricle and aorta is called aortic valve which is a tricuspid valve. In some people about 1% of the population has inborn bicuspid aortic valve. The valve is named so because it is present in between the left ventricle and aorta as well as it controls the flux of blood from left ventricle towards aorta.

Function:

When there is a ventricular systole the pressure in the left ventricle increases and this leads to the greater pressure in the left ventricle as compared to the aorta and ultimately this all results in the opening of the aortic valve. As the aortic valve the blood flux moves from left ventricle into the aorta. At the completion of the ventricular systole the ventricular pressure drops suddenly and at the same time the pressure in the aorta rises and this leads to the closure of the aortic valve. This opening and closing of the aortic valve produces the heart sound S2.

Disorders relating aortic valve:

There are two types of disorders responsible for the improper working of the aortic valve and those are:

• Aortic stenosis
• Aortic regurgitation

Aortic stenosis stands for the incomplete opening of the aortic valve hence blood doesn’t completely move into the aorta while aortic regurgitation is the disorder in which the aortic valve doesn’t close properly and in return the blood moves towards the wrong direction i.e. back towards the left ventricle is the disorder in which the aortic valve doesn’t close properly and in return the blood moves towards the wrong direction i.e. back towards the left ventricle.

Causes of aortic valve disorders:

Rheumatic fever is the common cause of both aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation while other causes of aortic stenosis are degenerative calcification and inborn bicuspid aortic valve. Enlargement of the aorta, infective endocarditis, myxomatous, Marfan’s syndrome and breakdown of the aortic valve are responsible for the aortic valve regurgitation.

Bicuspid aortic valve:

It is an inborn disorder of aortic valve and it is present in only 1% of the population. In this congenital disorder there are two leaflets of the aortic valve instead of the three leaflets. This disorder is left undiagnosed until the symptoms of aortic stenosis occur in later life. The occurrence of aortic stenosis in bicuspid aortic valve people is faster then the people with normal tricuspid aortic valve. Turner’s syndrome is also a cause of associated bicuspid aortic valve.

Aortic valve replacement:

The replacement of a diseased aortic valve with a new healthy valve is called aortic valve replacement. There are different diseases which can leads to the aortic valve replacement. Two conditions can lead to aortic valve replacement which is either the leakage of the aortic valve or the partial closure of the aortic valve. There are further two types of aortic valve replacement which depends upon the type of valve used to replace the diseased aortic valve. There are two types of aortic valves which are:

• Biological aortic valve:
This type of aortic valve is extracted from a living being and is placed in the diseased patient.

• Mechanical valve:
This type of valve is also called artificial aortic valve as this valve is made up of cloth, metal or artificial tissues.