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- Doctors
- Andrés Morales, MD
- Dr Mouafk Asaad MD, PhD
- Fredy Hermógenes Prada , MD
- Gabriel Salazar, MD, PhD
- Georgia Sarquella , MD, PhD
- Guillermo Chantada
- Jaume Català, MD
- Jaume Mora, MD, PhD
- Jose María Caffarena, MD, PhD
- Josep Maria Brugada, MD, PhD
- Ofelia Cruz, MD, PhD
- Dr. Javier Herrero Jover
- Dr. Angel Ruíz-Cotorro
- Juan Carlos Garcia Valdecasas, MD, PhD
- Dr. Antonio Mª de Lacy
- Dr. Antonio Alcaraz
- Dr. Josep Riba Ferret
- Dr. Felix Escalas
- Dr. Joan Carles Tunez
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- Dr. Manuel Sabaté
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- About Us
- Services
Heart Valve Replacement
Cardiac Procedures
- Treatments
- Cardiology
- Heart Valve Replacement
Heart Valve Replacement
The heart valve replacement is designed to replace a natural heart valve with an artificial replacement. This is done when repair of the damaged heart valve is not possible. During this procedure it is typically the mitral or aortic valve that is replaced.
You may need heart valve replacement if you have:
- Narrowing of a heart valve
- A leaky heart valve
These things can be caused by:
- Medication
- Infection
- Calcium deposits
- Birth defect
Length of the procedure is normally 3 to 6 hours.
Generally you will be hospitalized 3 to 7 day after you have a heart valve replacement surgery. Patients seeking a heart valve replacement surgery through medical tourism can return home within 7 to 10 days in most cases. The hospital stay for this surgery can vary. For this reason, it is best to book a hotel for the full ten days. This will ensure that you have accommodations should it take longer for your doctor to release you for travel. If you are given approval to travel sooner you can always check out and depart earlier than planned.
Your surgery will begin with the administration of general anesthesia. The surgical area will be prepped with a sterile draping and antiseptic liquid. To begin the surgery the surgeon will make a vertical incision in the center of the chest, and separate the breast bone.
Once the surgeon has access to your heart they will attach you to a heart and lung machine so they can operate on your heart. After this, the surgeon will remove the damaged valve. The new valve will be sewn in place. Then, you are removed from the heart and lung machine.
To complete the surgery, the breast bone is closed with wire, and the incision is closed with sutures. The surgeon may insert chest tubes for drainage. The area will be covered with a sterile dressing.
Types of artificial heart valves:
- Mechanical - Made of synthetic materials and designed to mimic the natural heart valve.
- Tissue - Taken from an animal.
- Homografts - Taken from a human donor.
After the procedure you will be taken to an intensive care unit for recovery. You will remain there for monitoring for around 24 hours in most cases. You will be given IV pain medication to ease discomfort. You may also have a breathing tube in place.
Once you are stable your breathing tube will be removed and you will be moved to a regular hospital room. You may also have a catheter to empty you bladder until you are more mobile. Tubes and monitors will be removed as your recovery progresses.
The average recovery rate after heart valve replacement surgery varies from patient to patient. In general you will begin to feel better and return to your normal routine after about 6 to 8 weeks. Physical therapy will be prescribed as a part of your cardiac rehabilitation.
The success rate for this procedure is very high. Not only does this procedure prolong the lives of the patients who undergo it, but it also improves their life and relieves their symptoms in many cases. In fact, 2 out of 3 patients who have this procedure are still alive 9 years after their procedure.