Patients from 105+ countries have trusted us
Join hundreds of happy patients who choose the right treatment and care.
Get A Quote
Valve Repair
- Days In Hospital 5 days
- Outside Hospital Stay 15 days
- Success Rate 85%
Minimum Cost
$ 4000
Maximum Cost.
$ 6000
Overview of Valve Repair in India
The heart has 4 valves that allow blood to flow through the heart by opening and closing with each heart beat. When heart valves are damaged or diseased, then repair or replacement of the valve(s) may occur if the valve(s) is not functioning properly. Stiffness of heart valves is called valve stenosis and leaky valves are called valve regurgitation, which are two types of dysfunctional heart valves. Stiff valves make it difficult for the heart to effectively push blood out of the heart, while a leaky valve means that while it still allows some blood flow in the normal direction, it will lead to backflow of some blood and decreases the amount of blood flowing in the normal direction.
Traditionally, heart valve repair was done through open-heart surgery, which would require a large incision in the chest and stopping the heart at least for part of the surgical procedure. While there has been considerable advancements in therapies and medical techniques and less invasive methods now exist. Minimally invasive methods use smaller incisions, which may decrease post-op pain and lead to shorter hospital stays.
Valve repair management may involve the use of a supportive ring, although some of the damaged valves may require total valve replacement as some valves cannot be repaired surgically. It usually depends on the valve problem (type and severity) and the general health of the patient. Heart valve repair has a success rate, but the success of the valve repair surgery usually depends upon the skill of the surgeon and less complications seen during or after the actual valve repair.
What Is Heart Valve Surgery?
Heart valve surgery is a procedure performed to repair or replace one or more of the four valves in your heart. Valves are positioned between the four chambers of your heart and help your blood flow in the proper direction. The valves serve as doors that open and close as your heart beats, letting blood in and out of the chambers. When the valves are functioning normally, you should have blood flowing through your heart in one direction every time your heart beats.
Your four heart valves are:
- Tricuspid, between your right upper and right lower chambers.
- Pulmonary, between your right ventricle (lower chamber") and your pulmonary artery.
- Mitral, between your left upper and lower chambers.
- Aortic, between your left ventricle (lower chamber) and your aorta.
Sometimes, some of the blood goes back into the chamber or room that it just came from. Other times, a valve becomes narrow, which prevents blood cannot move forward. This is a problem because it does not allow your heart to function properly. Even if you might feel fear about having heart valve surgery, it can help your heart to function better. In turn, if your heart is functioning better, you will also feel better.
Types of Valve Repair:
Annuloplasty
This procedure refers to providing surgical repair of the opening of the valve, or annulus, which is the ring-type structure of the valve. Annuloplasty is quite commonly used for mitral valve repair and aortic valve repair and it consists of implanting a rigid prosthetic ring or band that surrounds the annulus to reshape and support the valve opening.
Valve leaflet repair
When the leaflets of the valve are damaged or are functioning properly, several techniques can be employed to repair leaflets. These methods can include reshaping or resizing of the leaflet and/or reattaching leaflet, to provide a better functioning valve. The particular method can be determined by the type of abnormality and extent of damage of the leaflet.
Chordal repair
The chordae tendineae are thin strands that connect the valve leaflets to the muscle of the heart. In the event that the cords are lengthened or ruptured, this will contribute to native dysfunction of the valve. In this important surgical procedure, chordal repair surgery involves reconstructing or repairing the damaged cords.
Commissurotomy:
This procedure is performed primarily for mitral valve stenosis, a condition in which the leaflets of the valve are stiff and fused together. The commissurotomy procedure involves separating the fused, stenotic leaflets of the valve to alleviate the obstruction to blood flow.
Decalcification:
Calcium builds up on valve leaflets and can cause the valve to function poorly. In some cases, the surgeon will decalcify these leaflets. Decalcification is not a remedy for the dysfunction, but is important to restore flexibility to the valve leaflet.
Patch repair:
In some cases, a portion of the valve leaflet is either insufficient or damaged and needs the reinforcement of a patch to repair the valve. Patches can be synthetic or a tissue graft, but they are primarily used to strengthen and reinforce a valve leaflet.
Procedure:
Below depicts a general overview of the repair of the valve surgery.
Anesthesia: The patient receives a general anesthetic to ensure they are unconscious and limit irritation and discomfort.
Incision: An incision, in line with traditional open heart surgery, could be larger or smaller depending on the condition and valve involved.
Heart lung Bypass: The patient is placed on a machine designed to take over the function of the heart and lung temporarily. This allows the surgeon to work on the valve while reliable circulation of blood is maintained.
Valve Exposure: The surgeon will then carefully expose the valvular pathology by opening the relevant chambers of the heart.
Valve Repair: The surgeon implements the appropriate repair methodology for the valve and underlying condition. The methods may involve annuloplasty, leaflet repair, chordal reconstruction, commissurotomy, decalcification, or patch repair. To restore normal valve function is the guiding principle behind all valve repairs.
Assessment and Testing: The surgeon inspects the repaired valve to assure proper function and an effective seal to prevent leakage or stenosis.
Closure: After valve repair and successful assessment, the surgeon closes the heart opening using sutures. Dressings and bandages will also be applied to promote healing and prevent infection.
Restarting the Heart: The heart-lung bypass machine is systematically weaned off, allowing time for the heart to restart to its normal function. The patient's circulation is transitioned back to its baseline pathophysiology.
Closure of the Chest: The surgeon uses sutures to close the chest incision and will establish a medication regiment to avoid infection.
Recovery: Post-operatively, the patient is put on medications to assist with pain management. Most blood thinners will be instilled into the patient post-operatively to avoid excessive blood clots from forming to avoid complications.
Best Doctors in India
Cost of Valve Repair in India
The price of repair surgery of heart valves in India ranges between USD 4,000 and 5,500, but it may also differ, depending on the condition of the patient and the type of procedure. Prices are related to be lower than replacement surgery and they usually involve hospitalization and surgeon charges.
Top Hospitals in India
Indications of Valve Repair:
Below are some of the typical symptoms of having a heart valve repaired or replaced.
Shortness of Breath--This is especially apparent when you are thinking deep about something in your day-to-day activities, or if you lay flat in a bed. You feel better needing to prop yourself on a few pillows.
Dizziness or Weakness--You feel dizzy when going about your daily activities, low energy almost always. Sometimes, you may lose consciousness suddenly.
Discomfort in Chest--You may have a sensation of discomfort or pressure in your chest that may get worse when you are outdoors or briskly walking in the cold.
Constant Palpitations--If you have constant feelings of palpitations with a fast heart rate or feeling irregular heart rates, such as feelings of your heart flopping around in your chest, or feeling of skipped heartbeats, this is not good.
Swollen Ankles, Abdomen or Feet--This condition sometimes called pulmonary Edema on ankles or feet swelling, or belly swelling with feeling of bloating.
Sudden Weight Gain--You have sudden weight gain and not really any indication of even indulging or modifying your diet.
Risk Factors:
Excessive Bleeding: Bleeding occurring during or after surgery is a common risk. Although surgeons do their best to avoid bleeding, if excessive bleeding occurs, blood transfusions or procedures may need to be performed to control the bleeding.
Infection: It is possible for the surgery site to become infected and require antibiotic treatment or further surgery to correct the infection.
Blood Clots: Blood clots may develop in the heart or vessels after surgery. Travel of the clot can occur to other areas of the body and could lead to a stroke or other issues.
Stroke: Any surgery presents some risk of dislodging plaque or blood clots that may travel to the brain and cause stroke problems. Surgeons take careful precautions to minimise the potential for this risk.
Heart Rhythm Issues: Surgery can affect the electrical system of the heart and cause arrhythmias (irregular heart rates). The risk of arrhythmias is more common with longer surgeries but most arrhythmias are temporary but may require an intervention.
Kidney Issues: The administration of anesthesia and variations in blood circulation during the surgical procedure can stress the kidneys, potentially resulting in acute kidney injury (AKI). Usually, AKI is temporary and resolves with proper management.
Pneumonia and Lung Problems: Patients frequently experience pneumonia or other lung problems after surgery because of impaired lung function or immobility after the operation.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): If patients have limited mobility after surgery, they are more at risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), clot formation in the deep veins of the legs. It can be problematic if the clot dislodges and travels to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
Heart Attack: Although infrequent, heart attack can occur in both the intra or postoperative period as a result of alterations in blood flow and other factors.
Prosthetic Valve Issues: For patients that had mechanical or biological (tissue) heart valve replacements, complications could occur. Complications could include malfunction of the valve, clot formation on the mechanical valve, or eventual valve replacement surgery.