The heart is a muscular organ of the size of the fist located in the chest cavity. This vital organ is responsible for pumping and circulating blood in the body through its chambers. It has four chambers that contract and relax to pump the blood through the body. It consists of the right and left atrium and right and left ventricles. In addition, it has valves that regulate the flow of blood into, within, and out from the heart.
The heart has the following valves:
- Tricuspid valve: It has three leaflets and is located between the upper and lower right chambers of the heart.Pulmonary valve: It has three cusps and is located between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery. It regulates the exit of blood from the heart. It is a semilunar valve.Â
- Mitral valve: The valve is between the heart’s left upper and lower chambers.
- Aortic valve: The valve is between the left ventricle and the systemic aorta. It also regulates the exit of blood from the heart. It is a semilunar valve.
Heart Valve Replacement Surgery
The valves play an essential function by regulating blood flow into and out of the heart. When the valves are dysfunctional, they are either unable to close completely or are incompletely formed, resulting in the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. In such a case the valve needs to be repaired or replaced. It requires surgery, and it is crucial to know the best heart valve replacement surgery hospitals in India.
- Valve stenosis: When valves become stiff, the heart has to work harder to push the same volume of blood through the body. It can be because of aging or infection like rheumatic fever. Open heart surgery repairs the defective valve. Since it’s an invasive procedure, the complications associated with the surgery are also high, so you should place your trust in the best heart valve replacement surgery hospital in India.
- Valve regurgitation: A leak in the valve or an incompletely formed valve that allows the blood to flow backward. This procedure also requires surgery. Doctors recommend valve replacement or repair depending on the patient’s condition.
Causes of a Diseased Heart Valve
- Congenital valve disease: Commonly impacts pulmonary or aortic valves. Valves are either of the wrong sizes or are malformed.
- Bicuspid aortic valves: A standard valve has three cusps or leaflets. In this condition, valves have two abnormalities. In such cases, valves become stiff and unable to close properly, resulting in blood mixing.
- Acquired valve disease: Problems acquired over one’s life due to infections or diseases like rheumatic fever or endocarditis.
Symptoms of a Diseased Heart Valve
The diseased heart valve may reveal itself in the form of the following symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Breathing difficulty
- Palpitations
- Edema of the feet, ankle abdomen
- Weight gain due to fluid retention
Should you choose Valve Repair or Valve replacement?
The decision depends upon the following factors:
- The severity of the disease
- Age
- Overall health
- Whether the patient needs heart surgery to cure another heart issue. For example, Heart bypass surgery for coronary artery disease.
Treatment Options
-   Heart valve repair: The doctor may recommend this to preserve the natural heart valves. The procedure includes patching holes in the heart, reconnecting the valve flaps, and removing excess valve tissue so that leaflets can close tightly. Then cords are replaced to support the valve to repair the structural support. After that, the fused valve flaps are separated, and the ring around the valve is tightened. Such a complex surgical procedure requires a team of efficient and well-trained doctors, and it is crucial to put your faith in the best heart valve replacement surgery hospital in India.
-   Heart valve replacement: Valve replacement is done when the heart valve cannot be repaired and a catheter approach cannot be used. The heart valve is replaced with a mechanical valve or a valve made from cow, pig, or human heart tissue. Biological valves are eventually replaced as they break down over time. Mechanical valves require you to be on blood-thinning medications to prevent blood clots for the rest of your life. The decision on what type of valve should be placed depends upon the patient’s condition and the associated risks. The doctor evaluates the condition accordingly and suggests the best option with minimal risk and the best prognosis. The decision-making is crucial, and so you require the best heart valve replacement surgery hospital in India to properly guide you before making the decision and up to post-recovery.
Conclusion
Max health care commenced its operations in 2001; within a short period, it has reached the zenith of medical practice with top-notch doctors, the latest medical equipment, and techniques.
The Max health care team consists of 2300 leading doctors, 3300 nurses, and 3200 trained staff. It provides state-of-the-art clinical services and surgical training programs. Max hospital is the first hospital in India to receive “stage 6” recognition from HIMSS. It has efficient emergency services with Internationally trained physicians in the field of Emergency Medicine. It has experienced cardiac surgeons with 20+ years of experience. So, the patient can trust the hospital and the experienced staff when it comes to invasive surgical procedures. It is one of the best heart valve replacement surgery hospitals in India.
