Aortic Valve Surgery
The human heart is like a giant pump, pumping blood in and out and sending oxygen-filled blood throughout the body. When it is functioning correctly, it is a beautiful thing to behold, a perfectly-calibrated machine. But just as machines can have problems, so can the heart.
Blood flows in and out of the heart through tubes, arteries or vessels, the main one being the aorta. The flow of the blood into these tubes is controlled by valves made of three circular pieces or leaflets. When functioning properly, they come together to form a perfect seal, assuring that blood does not leak back into the heart. Two conditions affecting the aortic valve may require surgery. There is no procedure available to repair these valves, only to replace them.
Aortic Stenosis. This occurs when the aortic valve becomes narrowed. Blood pressure must increase to pump blood out of the heart and into the aorta. Doing this over and over makes the heart work harder and leads to increased muscle growth and congestive heart failure. The solution is to replace the valve to prevent the heart from failing.
Aortic Insufficiency or Regurgitation. With this condition, the valve leaflets no longer meet, and blood leaks back into the heart. The heart slowly increases the capacity of the ventricle, the left side of the heart. Over time, the heart can no longer stretch to accommodate the blood flow and the patient experiences congestive heart failure.
Congestive Heart Failure
When the heart is damaged and can no longer pump blood effectively, the blood becomes congested in the heart, in the lungs, and in severe cases, in the rest of the body causing the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath during exercise or activity beyond the basics.
- Shortness of breath while resting, indicating very severe problems.
- Inability to lie flat, which causes more blood to return to the heart.
- Feeling tired all the time, since the heart cannot pump blood to the body efficiently.
- Swelling of feet and lower legs. This is called “edema” and is a result of the blood not circulating properly.
Surgeries for Aortic Stenosis
When medications are not effectively treating aortic stenosis, a balloon valvuloplasty may be performed. In this procedure a wire is guided into the aorta and through the narrowed valve. A balloon is placed across the valve and inflated to help open the valve. The balloon is then deflated and removed. However, over time the valve tends to narrow again, and additional procedures or surgery may be necessary to treat the narrowed valve.
Aortic Valve Replacement is often needed to treat Aortic Stenosis and there are different techniques that may be used. Your physician should discuss the risks and benefits of each type to determine which is most appropriate for you.
Surgical replacement requires removal of the damaged valve and replacement with a mechanical valve or a valve made from pig, cow or human heart tissue. Mechanical valves are made of high-tech metal and are very dependable. Those who receive these valves must commit to taking anticoagulation medication to prevent blood clots. Biological valves do not require patients to take anticoagulation medications long term. However, they may degenerate over time which may require another replacement procedure
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is another option and is a less invasive technique. A physician inserts a catheter through an artery in the leg or chest and guides it to the heart. A valve is inserted through the catheter and positioned over the failing valve. The new valve is expanded and then serves as your new valve. This technique was Initially accepted as an option for people that were at high risk for surgical replacement. However, it has become increasingly more widespread. It is successfully and routinely performed on aortic stenosis patients within all surgical risk levels. In comparison to surgery, TAVR typically results in faster recovery time and may shorten the length of hospitalization.
Surgeries for Aortic Insufficiency
Aortic stenosis is usually treated with medications until the patient begins to show signs of congestive heart failure. As with aortic stenosis, three types of valves can be used: artificial, animal valve or human valve. The TAVR procedure is not used to treat aortic insufficiency.
When treating this condition, a valve may be repaired instead of replaced. The valve repair is always preferred if possible because the patient keeps his or her own valve and doesn’ t have to worry about anticoagulation medication. But of course, a tissue valve will still have the disadvantage of wearing out.
Valve Surgery Techniques
Most adult open heart surgery is performed with a vertical incision down the center of the patient’s chest and this is the typical incision for aortic valve replacement and repair, which is often performed in conjunction with coronary artery bypass surgery. It is called a full sternotomy because the incision goes down the patient’s breastbone or sternum.
This large vertical incision allows the surgeon full access to all parts of the heart and to deal with complications more easily. It may be less painful than an incision between the ribs, which is called a thoracotomy. Total recovery time is about six to ten weeks. The disadvantage of this surgery is a very visible scar.
Another option for aortic valve repair is one of two minimally-invasive approaches which feature smaller incisions.
A mini upper sternotomy starts at the top of the sternum but is only one-third to one-half as long as a full sternotomy.
A mini thoracotomy features a small 3 to 4-inch incision in the upper right chest wall, to the side of the sterum. It also features a small incision in the right of left groin to gain access to the artery and vein.
Using a minimally invasive approach generally causes less post-operative pain and offers quicker recovery time. Of course, the scars are not as apparent. The disadvantage is that minimally invasive procedures limit what can be seen by the surgeon and can hamper dealing with a complication. Not everyone is a candidate for minimally invasive surgery, namely those that have a severely dilated aorta, who are morbidly obese, have severely calicified aortas or femoral arteries, as well as patients who have had previous open heart surgery or who need more than just valve surgery.