Key Aspects of an Open Heart Valve Surgery

By Dr. Jeewan Pillai in Cardiology Cardiac Surgery

Mar 20, 2023

What is Open Heart Valve Surgery?

The heart has different parts, such as the arteries, muscles, and valves, on which open-heart surgeries can be performed if they sustain any deformity or disease. Open-heart surgery is the procedure where the surgeon is required to cut open the patient’s chest in order to perform the surgery.

It is also called traditional heart surgery at times and can be done to repair or replace any damaged parts of the heart. Newer techniques have now been found with less invasive methods to treat heart valve disease. Nevertheless, making a large incision in the chest using the traditional surgical method allows the surgeon to have a better look at the organs during the procedure and helps in many conditions.

The purpose of the valves present in our hearts is to ensure that the blood is flowing through the heart in the forward direction. This is aided by flaps present with each valve that open and close once with each heartbeat. Open Heart Valve surgery is performed in cases of heart valve disease where at least one out of the four heart valves stops working properly.

Why is open heart valve surgery done?

If the function of the valve is not performed correctly by the flaps, the flow of blood to the body gets disrupted, leading to heart valve disease. There are two basic kinds of heart valve diseases that affect the heart’s capability to pump blood to the body.

• Stenosis – This condition refers to the narrowing of the heart valve(s).
• Regurgitation – This refers to a leak in the heart valve(s), leading to the blood flowing backward through the heart.

These heart valve conditions may lead further lead to the following symptoms over time:

• Difficulty in breathing
• Swelling on feet, ankles or belly (Edema)
• Rapid body weight gain caused by fluid retention
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Palpitations

In case you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above, immediately contact your medical healthcare provider or your cardiologist (heart specialist).

What happens in open heart valve surgery?

Traditionally, to treat a heart valve disease, open heart valve surgery shall be performed where the diseased or damaged heart valve(s) are repaired or replaced by the surgeon to allow proper flow of blood through the heart to the body.

During an open heart valve surgery, the diseased or damaged heart valve(s) may be entirely removed and an artificial valve(s) shall be placed in its position, or repaired with a ring used to provide support to the damaged valve(s).

What purpose an open heart valve surgery is performed for depends on various factors, including the best suitable option for the patient and the problem they are dealing with. Your medical healthcare provider shall advise you accordingly in case you need to go through an open heart valve surgery.

Open Heart Valve Surgery: Aftercare

Since open heart valve surgery is quite an invasive and serious procedure, patients may be required to remain admitted at the hospital for a week or more post-surgery. During this period, your medical practitioner shall regularly monitor your health.

The recovery after an open heart valve surgery has three important aspects that every patient should keep in mind. These three aspects include:

• Caring for the incision that is made during the surgery: This is of great importance. The area of and around the incision should be kept clean & dry at all times in order to avoid the risk of any infection. In case you notice any redness, discharge, or swelling from/around the incision, contact your doctor immediately to prevent any infection from developing.
• Experiencing post-surgery pain in the chest or throat: During the postoperative recovery phase after an open heart valve surgery, one may feel pain in the chest or throat. Your doctor may prescribe certain painkillers to help with this.
• Changing certain aspects of your lifestyle: It is very crucial for your body to get an adequate amount of rest before it can get back to its usual activities. Your doctor shall accordingly advise certain lifestyle adjustments along with changes in your diet to ease the recovery period for your body.

An open heart valve surgery may be advised only in cases of cardiovascular disease, which can often become life-threatening.

If you face any symptoms related to a heart or heart valve disease, discuss it, without any delay, with your doctor about what can be done about it and ensure to go through the discussed procedures at the earliest to avoid any drastic effects on your health.