Twin Cities Heart and Lung logo
Twin Cities Heart and Lung
Heart Procedures Lung Procedures Vascular Procedures Glossary of Medical Terms
The surgeons at Twin Cities Heart and Lung believe in patient education. We've designed our site to help you learn about procedures so you can understand them and proceed with your treatment with the knowledge to put your fears to rest.
human heart
List of Heart Procedures:

Coronary Artery Bypass
Endoscopic Vein or Artery Harvest
Heart Transplant
Heart Valve Repair and Replacement
MAZE procedure
Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass
Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization
Ventricular Restoration
<back next>
Heart Valve Repair and Replacement

Your heart valves act like one way doors, making sure blood flows through the heart in the proper direction at all times. There are two common problems that can happen with your valve: the leaflets of the valve can become thickened, stiff or deformed, not opening as easily as they should, or they may not close tightly enough to form a complete seal, thus allowing some blood to flow in the wrong direction (insufficient or regurgitation).

During valve repair or replacement surgery, the surgical team divides the breastbone, temporarily stops the heart so the surgeon can work on it, and sends the blood through a heart-lung machine. Because the heart or the aorta must be opened, heart valve surgery is open heart surgery.

Depending on the degree and type of damage, sometimes your valve can be repaired. There are a number of ways the surgeon can do this, including the following:
  • Commissurotomy, which is used for narrowed valves, where the leaflets are thickened and perhaps stuck together. The surgeon opens the valve by cutting the points where the leaflets meet.
  • Decalcification removes calcium buildup from the leaflets. Once the calcium is removed, the leaflets can function normally again.
  • Patching means the surgeon covers holes or tears in the leaflets with a tissue patch.
  • Repair of structural support, which replaces or shortens the cords that give the valves support; the valve can close properly when the cords are the proper length.
  • Reshaping involves the surgeon cutting out a section of a leaflet. Once the leaflet is sewn back together, the valve can close properly.
  • Valvuloplasty, which strengthens the leaflets to provide more support and to let the valve close tightly. This support comes from a ring-like device that surgeons attach around the outside of the valve opening.

In any case, upon completion a Trans-Esophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) will be done in the operating room to evaluate the results. If the repair was not adequate, your native valve will be removed and replaced with a prosthetic valve.

If your heart valve is too damaged to be repaired, there are two choices for a prosthetic valve, a bioprosthesis or a mechanical valve. Each has its advantages and disadvantages: biological valves (made from pig, cow, or donated human tissue) enable the patient to avoid having to take blood thinners, but don't last as long, whereas mechanical valves last longer but require blood thinners. Your age at time of surgery as well as your life style and other medical conditions will impact your choice.

 
Before and After Heart Valve Repair and Replacement
 
 
Twin Cities Heart and Lung Home Page Twin Cities Heart and Lung Physicians Twin Cities Heart and Lung Milestones Twin Cities Heart and Lung Technology Hospitals where you can find Twin Cities Heart and Lung Contact Twin Cities Heart and Lung Twin Cities Heart and Lung Procedures