The surgeons of Raney Zusman Medical Group recently received 5 star ratings for valve replacement survival rates inhospital and at 1 and 6 months post-operatively, the only high volume group in Orange County to achieve this result. These ratings reflect the high level of skill and experience of our surgeons as well as the excellent support care at the Hoag Heart and Vascular Institute.

The aortic valve located between the powerful left ventricle and the aorta, which connects the blood pumped from the heart to the rest of the body. The aortic valve is crucial in maintaining flow of blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Although the mitral valve can often be repaired, the aortic valve is usually replaced when there is disease because of the high pressure and volume through the aortic valve. Generally, stenotic or narrowed aortic valves are usually replaced and the option to repair an aortic valve is usually for "leaky" aortic valves.

Aortic valve sparing techniques can be employed in certain circumstances. To determine if there are options for aortic valve sparing techniques, please contact us to set up a consultation with one of our surgeons at (888) 565-8224.

Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery

In aortic valve relpacement surgery, the patient is put to sleep with general anesthesia and an anesthesiologist monitors consciousness throughout the operation. Once the patient is asleep, the surgeon makes an incision down the middle of the chest and separate the breastbone. The patient is placed on the heart-lung machine to do the work of breathing and pumping oxygenated blood for the patient.

The surgeon will then access the heart and carefully remove the damaged valve. After the valve has been removed, the surgeon will select a replacement valve. There are three main types of valve that the surgeon may use, and each has distinctive advantages and disadvantages. The decision on what valve type to use will be made by a surgeon after careful review of multiple factors. To discuss your case with a surgeon, please call (949) 650-3350 to set up a consult.

The following is an overview of different valve types that a surgeon may use. This is meant to give a brief background for discussion with your surgeon.

Aortic Valve Replacement Options

Homograft
Ross Procedure
Stentless Valve Replacement
Mechanical Valve Replacement

After surgery, the patient will be taken off the heart-lung machine and moved to the CVICU (Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit) where specialized staff will closely monitor the patient.

Risks of Surgery
Open-heart surgery is considered a major surgical operation and as such is associated with the following risks: stroke, heart attack, bleeding, infection, nerve damage, breathing problems, drug reactions, blood reactions, arrhythmias and death. Your surgeon will discuss these and other risks with you before your operation.

For more information on aortic valve disease:

Society of Thoracic Surgeons - Aortic Valve Disease Information
Heart Valve Replacement - St. Jude Medical
Aetna Women's Health - Heart Valve Disease Information