Your aortic valve is a one way valve that regulates blood flow from your heart to your aorta, which is the largest artery in your body. Aortic valve disease occurs when your aortic valve does not work properly.
The cardiovascular specialists at UPMC provide expert treatment for aortic valve disease using minimally invasive and open-chest techniques for aortic valve repair and replacement.
Your doctor may repair or replace your aortic valve depending on your condition. Your doctor's recommendation is based on many factors, including your age, general health, the condition of your damaged valve, the presence of other health conditions, and the expected benefits of surgery.
Types of aortic valve surgery include:
Although the aortic valve is usually replaced, in the case of a leaking aortic valve, aortic valve repair surgery may be an option. The goal of aortic valve repair surgery is to restore your aortic valve to its full function.
Because aortic valve repair involves using your own tissue you will not need to take blood-thinning medications, which are required when mechanical aortic valves are used.
Certain conditions, such as a bicuspid aortic valve, may be repaired by reshaping your aortic valve leaflets, allowing the valve to open and close more completely. Bicuspid aortic valve repair may be an option to treat leaking valves, but it cannot be used to treat a narrowed, bicuspid aortic valve.
Experts at UPMC also perform the Ozaki aortic valve replacement procedure using tissue from the sac around your heart, called the pericardium.
If aortic valve repair surgery is not an option, your surgeon may replace your aortic valve with a bioprosthetic valve or a mechanical valve.
Bioprosthetic valves consist of pig (porcine) or cow (bovine) heart tissue, and while they do not typically require blood thinners, they have limited durability and do not last forever.
Mechanical valves are made of metal and can last a lifetime. However, they require lifelong blood thinners. Your doctor will discuss valve options with you and recommend which valve type may be best for you based on your age, health, and other medical problems.
Our surgeons have the skills and experience required to successfully perform aortic valve repair and replacement using advanced minimally invasive techniques. Minimally invasive procedures access your valve through much smaller incisions without cutting your breastbone. Your surgeon will determine if you are a candidate for any of these less invasive approaches. This decision may depend on your age, anatomy, distance of the aorta from the chest wall, your overall health, and other medical problems. The benefits of minimally invasive approaches include:
Our surgeons offer the latest minimally invasive treatment options for aortic valve disease, including:
Aortic valve disease occurs when your aortic valve does not work properly. This can be caused by:
You may need aortic valve surgery if you have been diagnosed with aortic valve disease, such as aortic valve stenosis or aortic valve regurgitation.
If your aortic valve disease is causing problems with blood flow or other symptoms, you may be a candidate for aortic valve surgery. Your doctor will recommend the best approach to treat your condition.
Some people with severe aortic valve disease are at increased risk of complications or death from aortic valve surgery. Aortic valve surgery may be a treatment option, but it isn’t right for everyone.
For many people, aortic valve surgery carries a low risk of complications. However, as with any surgery, there are some risks, including:
If your doctor recommends aortic valve surgery, our team of heart valve experts will start by doing a thorough exam. During your aortic valve surgery exam, you may meet with:
Our experts use the latest diagnostic tests to learn about your heart valve condition, including:
Your doctor may also order other tests, such as:
On the day of your aortic valve surgery procedure, be sure to bring your photo ID and health insurance card(s). Leave valuables such as cash and jewelry at home.
After open aortic valve surgery, you should expect to stay in the hospital for several days. For TAVR, you should expect to be in the hospital one night. Your doctor will let you know how many nights you can expect to stay for the type of procedure you are having.
You should bring toiletries, a robe, slippers, a cell phone and charger, medications, and a change of clothes. You should also arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital after you are discharged.
Your aortic valve surgery could take as little as an hour or up to several hours, depending on the type of procedure you are having.
During aortic valve surgery, your damaged valve will be repaired or replaced with a new valve. Your doctor may perform a minimally invasive procedure or open-chest surgery, depending on your condition.
Depending on the type of procedure you are having, you may be placed under general anesthesia or connected to a heart-lung bypass machine that will take over the function of your heart and lungs during your operation.
Your doctor will provide you with more details about the approach he or she plans to use before surgery.
When your open aortic valve surgery is completed, you will be moved to the ICU.
Following your TAVR procedure, you will be taken to the recovery unit for observation and monitoring for several hours before you are moved to a regular room.
Your doctor will provide more information about your recovery and your hospital stay — including when you can resume your normal activities.
If you receive a mechanical aortic valve replacement, you will need to take blood-thinning medication after aortic valve surgery. Follow your doctor’s instructions and go to all your follow-up appointments.
If you have an open surgical procedure, your recovery may take up to three months. A complete recovery after a minimally invasive procedure typically takes about 4-6 weeks (about 1 and a half months).
You should call your doctor if you are experiencing any unusual symptoms, including:
Most otherwise healthy patients continue to lead active, normal lives after aortic valve surgery.
For most people, life expectancy after aortic valve surgery is the same as anyone else who does not have heart problems. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about your life expectancy after your aortic valve surgery procedure.
Aortic valve surgery success rates vary depending on the type of procedure you’re having. However, most people who have aortic valve surgery have outstanding outcomes, reduced symptoms, and improved quality of life.
The cardiovascular specialists at UPMC are among the most experienced in Pennsylvania at performing aortic valve surgery and minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. Our team regularly participates in the latest clinical trials and delivers outstanding treatment outcomes.
