Aortic Valve Repair

​Aortic Valve Repair is a surgical treatment for certain cases of aortic valve disorders. It is performed as an alternative treatment to Aortic Valve Replacement.

Aortic valve disease occurs when the valve between the main pumping chamber of your heart (left ventricle) and the main artery to your body (aorta) doesn't work properly. Aortic valve disease may be a condition present at birth (congenital heart disease), or it may be due to other causes.

The types of aortic valve disease include:

• Aortic valve stenosis: This occurs when the aortic valve opening is narrowed, thus obstructing blood flow from your heart into your aorta.
• Aortic valve regurgitation: This occurs when the aortic valve does not close fully close, resulting in blood flowing backwards into the left ventricle of the heart.

The doctor will ask about the patient’s medical history and provide a physical exam which includes listening to the heart with a stethoscope. Aortic valve regurgitation generally produces a heart murmur, which can mean that blood is leaking backward through the aortic valve. Upon this first examination, the doctor will decide what tests are needed to make a diagnosis. Some of the diagnostic tests may include:

• Echocardiogram (Echo)
• Exercise tests
• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Chest X-ray
• Cardiac catheterization (Coronary angiogram)

The tests will help the doctor diagnose aortic valve regurgitation, determine the severity of regurgitation, and decide if the patient’s aortic valve needs repair or replacement.

Aortic valve repair is a surgery whereby the surgeons will modify the original valve to bring it to its full functionality.

Treatment depends on the severity of the blood leakage (regurgitation), symptoms from the condition and the extent the heart function is affected.

• Please inform the doctor of your medications as some medicines are not suitable for consumption before a surgery.
• If you are a smoker, please refrain from smoking during this time period.
• Provide your clinician with a list of your medical history, particularly for allergies.
• You may need to undergo other medical examinations prior to the surgery. Some examples of the tests include:
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Blood tests
  • Chest X-ray
  • Urine sample