Heart valve operations
Heart valves ensure that blood flows smoothly and only moves in one direction. The heart has three heart valves: the mitral valve, the tricuspid valve and the aortic valve.
Types of heart valve problems
There are two main types of problems:
- Valve stenosis or narrowing: the valve has become hardened or grown out of shape and therefore does not open properly or only allows a reduced amount of blood to flow through it;
- Valve insufficiency: the valve no longer closes properly, so the blood may flow backwards.
Symptoms of valve problems
A poorly working heart valve can cause the following symptoms:
- Feeling tight-chested or short of breath
- Tiredness
- Chest pain/angina
- Dizziness/fainting
- Heart valve problems
- Heart rhythm problems
Treatment options
There are various treatment options for a heart valve problem. In many cases one or more valves can be repaired. If necessary, the affected heart valve can be replaced. There are three possible types of procedure:
- A traditional heart valve operation (these are common)
- A minimally invasive heart valve operation (for selected patients)
- An endovascular procedure (for selected patients)
In a traditional heart valve operation the breastbone is opened (sternotomy). For selected patients one or more heart valve operations can be carried out via a small incision on the left side of the chest. In these minimally invasive procedures a robot or camera is used to repair or replace the heart valve. These minimally invasive techniques are also called heartport® or Port-access.
If an endovascular procedure is an option for you, the repair or replacement takes place via a catheter in your groin. More information about this:
Heart valve operations are frequently carried out in combination with a coronary artery bypass graft or corrections of other abnormalities such as heart rhythm problems.
Both traditional and minimally invasive heart valve operations are carried out under a general anaesthetic. During the operation a heart-lung machine is used to temporarily take over your heart and lung function.