Valvular heart surgery is done to repair or replace a damaged or defective heart valve. Repair means that the valve is fixed to help it work better. Replacement means that your own bad valve is removed and a new valve is put in its place. The decision about whether to replace or repair your valve is often not made until during surgery, when the surgeon can actually see the bad valve.
If a valve cannot be repaired, it may be replaced with an artificial (prosthetic) valve. There are two types of prosthetic heart valves - mechanical and biological.
Mechanical valves are made of man-made materials, and biological valves are taken from cow, pig or human donors. Your doctor will discuss with you which type of valve is best for you.
Once you are in the operating room, the doctors will insert a probe for trans-esophageal echocardiography into your throat (see TEE) so that they can look at the valve in place during and after surgery.
The surgeon will make an incision down the middle of your chest and your breastbone will be separated so that the surgeon can get to your heart.
When the surgeon begins the valve surgery, your heart must be stilled. During this time, you are put on a heart-lung machine that will circulate your blood. When the surgery is done, this machine will be removed, and your heart and lungs will take over their functions.
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