Key Aspects of an Open Heart Valve Surgery
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.
By
Dr. Jeewan Pillai
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon
Metro Hospitals & Heart Institute, Noida Sector-12, UP
<< Back