Dr. Arijit Datta, a distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon with 26 years of expertise at Manipal Hospitals Mukundapur, specializes in heart valve replacement surgeries. His credentials—MBBS, MS, DNB, FRCS, and a Gold Medal in DNB CTVS—reflect a profound commitment to advancing patient outcomes through innovative, evidence-based interventions.

Understanding Heart Valve Replacement: An Overview

Heart valve replacement is a corrective procedure for diseased valves (mitral, tricuspid, pulmonary, or aortic) that fail to open or close properly, leading to inefficient blood flow. The surgery entails excising the faulty valve and implanting a mechanical or biological prosthesis, performed via open-heart or minimally invasive approaches to restore valvular integrity and cardiac efficiency.

When Is Heart Valve Replacement Recommended?

This intervention is advised for severe valve stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage) causing symptoms like fatigue, dyspnea, or heart failure, particularly when medical management is inadequate. It is often performed concurrently with other cardiac repairs and is prioritized at high-volume centers to optimize success rates.

The Procedure: What to Expect

Under general anesthesia, the surgery utilizes a heart-lung bypass machine for circulation support. Open-heart techniques involve a median sternotomy, while minimally invasive options—such as robotic-assisted or thoracoscopic methods—employ smaller incisions for reduced trauma. Valve replacement may incorporate catheter-based transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for eligible patients, enhancing procedural precision.

Benefits of Heart Valve Replacement

Patients typically experience symptom resolution, improved ejection fraction, and enhanced longevity, with biological valves offering durability for 10-20 years and mechanical ones providing lifelong function (with anticoagulation). Minimally invasive techniques expedite recovery and minimize scarring.

Risks and Considerations

Potential complications encompass bleeding, infection, thromboembolism, or prosthetic valve dysfunction, with risks amplified in frail individuals. Rigorous preoperative evaluation and antibiotic prophylaxis are standard to safeguard patient safety.

Recovery and Aftercare

An initial ICU phase transitions to ward care, with discharge in 5-7 days for uncomplicated cases. Cardiac rehabilitation facilitates progressive ambulation and strength building, while echocardiographic surveillance ensures valve patency. Anticoagulant therapy is mandatory for mechanical valves to avert clotting.