Heart valves regulate the direction of blood flow through the heart. When a valve becomes severely narrowed or does not close properly, the heart may have to work harder to pump blood.
The most commonly affected valves are the mitral and aortic valves, although the tricuspid and pulmonary valves can also be affected.
When is valve surgery needed?
Valve surgery may be considered when valve disease becomes severe and causes:
- Breathlessness
- Fatigue or reduced exercise capacity
- Swelling of the legs
- Chest discomfort
- Palpitations
- Fainting or dizziness
- Enlargement or weakening of the heart
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Progressive deterioration of heart function
Some patients may require surgery even before severe symptoms develop if investigations show that the heart is beginning to be affected.
Valve repair versus replacement
Whenever technically suitable, valve repair may preserve the patient’s own valve and avoid the need for a prosthetic valve.
When repair is not feasible or unlikely to provide a durable result, valve replacement may be recommended.
Replacement can be performed using a mechanical or tissue valve, depending on factors such as age, lifestyle, medical conditions, bleeding risk and the need for long-term anticoagulation.
Single and double valve surgery
Some patients have significant disease involving more than one valve. In appropriately selected patients, single or double valve surgery can address multiple valve problems during the same operation.
How effective is valve surgery?
Modern valve surgery can substantially improve symptoms, exercise capacity and quality of life. In appropriately selected patients, correcting severe valve disease can also help prevent progressive damage to the heart.
The choice of procedure and timing is individualized after clinical examination, echocardiography and assessment of the patient’s overall health.
Dr. Deepi Agrawal Goyal
Dr. Deepi has experience in surgical management of valvular heart disease, including valve repair and replacement and single- and double-valve procedures.
Her approach emphasizes selecting the appropriate procedure based on valve anatomy, heart function, symptoms, age and the patient’s individual circumstances.