Heart valve treatment protects your heart from further damage. Your doctor may recommend certain medications if your condition is minor or you are not a good candidate for surgery. Medications can help you manage your symptoms. They can also help decrease the risk of further problems. However, no medication can stop your valve from leaking.
To restore your heart valve’s function, you will need surgery. Surgery may involve valve replacement or valve repair. Minimally invasive valve surgery is an option for many patients.
Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery
Nearly one in three of all cardiac valve surgeries at Doylestown Health’s Heart Institute are minimally invasive, which also includes minimally invasive aortic valve repair or valve replacement and mitral valve repair and replacement.
If you are a candidate for minimally invasive surgery, the benefits are even greater. This type of surgery results in:
- Less blood loss
- Lower risk of infection
- Reduced pain and trauma
- Shorter hospital and recovery times
- Smaller scars
Valve Replacement
During a valve replacement procedure, the surgeon removes your diseased heart valve and replaces it with an artificial heart valve. This artificial valve works much like a normal heart valve.
An artificial heart valve is either a mechanical valve or a tissue valve. Mechanical heart valves are made of a strong material such as titanium or carbon. Tissue heart valves are obtained from human donors or animal tissue that is strong and flexible.
You will likely notice an immediate improvement in how you feel with recovery ranging between six to twelve weeks. You can expect to resume a normal, healthy lifestyle.
Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery
Aortic valve surgery is done to replace the aortic valve in the heart. Blood flows out of your heart and into the aorta through the aortic valve. The aortic valve opens so blood can flow out and closes to keep blood from flowing backwards. If your aortic valve does not open or close all the way, it may require surgery. Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery is done using small incisions.
TAVR Procedure (also called TAVI)
Tranter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) are two names for the same heart valve procedure. This is a procedure that replaces your severely diseased aortic valve without open heart surgery.
The Heart Institute is one of only a few cardiac programs in the region to offer this advanced heart valve procedure for severe aortic stenosis. The surgery is performed by a team of cardiologists, interventional radiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons.
We actively evaluate patients who may be candidates for TAVR. If you are seeking heart valve surgery options, we can provide you with an expert consultation or a second opinion. To learn more or to schedule a visit, please call 215-345-2328.
Valve Repair
When possible, it is best to repair a valve rather than replace it. A procedure called a balloon valvuloplasty can relieve valve tightness. This is done as part of a cardiac catheterization. This is less invasive than general surgery or open heart surgery.
Find a Physician
Find a physician online or call 215-345-2121 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) to speak with a referral counselor.