What Is Aortic Valve Surgery/Aortic Valve Replacement?

Aortic valve surgery, which includes an aortic valve replacement, or an aortic valve repair,  fixes an aortic valve that isn't working correctly. The aortic valve lets blood flow from the left lower chamber of the heart (left ventricle) to the aorta, which is the body's main blood vessel. The aorta distributes blood throughout the body.

When do aortic valves need to be repaired or replaced?

Aortic valves help pump blood out of the heart to the rest of the body. In a person with aortic valve disease, the aortic valve has a malfunction:

• Regurgitation: The aortic valve doesn't close completely, causing blood to flow backward instead of forward through the valve.
• Stenosis: The aortic valve opening doesn't form properly or becomes narrow, inhibiting the flow of blood out of the chambers of the heart. When this happens, the heart is forced to pump blood with increased force in order to move blood through the stiff (stenotic) valve.

Aortic valves can have regurgitation and stenosis at the same time.

When heart valves fail to open and close properly, the heart can become damaged. Heart valve problems are one cause of heart failure.

Our goal is to comprehensively evaluate a patient’s suitability for all types of aortic valve interventions and to provide the most effective treatment option(s) for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis. We aim to optimize clinical outcomes and seek to improve and prolong quality and duration of life. Individualized treatment plans are developed in conjunction with the referring physician to determine the optimal approach for each patient. Electronic medical records provide patients with secure on-line access to health information and communication.

Ask the Heart Expert