Aortic Valve Replacement

Aortic valve replacement is necessary when narrowing or leaking of the aortic valve poses a significant health threat to the individual. Aortic valve malfunction is due to either a congenital defect or the weakening of the valve with age. Unlike the mitral valve, which can be repaired to good condition, the aortic valve almost always requires replacement with either a mechanical or biological valve to restore it to optimal condition. In many patients' cases, the aortic valve is not functioning properly for a long time before they reach the need for surgical replacement. When the aortic valve malfunctions, the blood either flows back into the heart, or not enough blood is allowed to flow out to the body. Either case can post serious health risks over the long term, as the heart is forced to work harder than usual to maintain proper blood flow.

Patients who require aortic valve replacement often experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pains. However, since symptoms of aortic valve malfunction mirror those of many other cardiothoracic issues, a qualified cardiologist or cardiothoracic surgeon should always be consulted to determine the root cause of the cardiac symptoms being experienced. A cardiothoracic surgeon will run several tests to concluded whether the patient requires aortic valve replacement, including an echocardiogram and catheterization. In many cases, the patient simply needs to be monitored closely every six months to keep an eye on the severity of the aortic valve malfunction. If aortic valve replacement surgery is required, the best thing a patient can do is visit a talented cardiothoracic surgeon who has dealt with many similar cases with a successful surgical outcome.