BENEFITS AND RISKS AORTIC AND MITRAL VALVE REPLACEMENT

UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS AND RISKS

Heart valve replacement surgery is generally considered to have positive results. However, surgery is not without risks, and complications are possible. You need to know about them so you can alert your doctor if you notice symptoms.

BENEFITS OF Surgical HEART VALVE REPLACEMENT

Over time, engaging in normal activities again may be possible. Each patient recovers at his or her own pace. Recovery depends on the overall strength and condition. The effects of the old, damaged valve on the body will gradually fade as the new prosthetic heart valve begins to help the heart function more efficiently.

RISKS OF SURGICAL HEART VALVE REPLACEMENT

Surgical aortic and mitral valve replacement some risks can include¹:

• Death
• Blood clots that develop in the heart or on the replacement valve. These clots may break loose and travel through the bloodstream (thromboembolism). This problem may cause a stroke or heart attack.
• Obstruction of blood circulation to the heart resulting in damage to the heart tissue (myocardial infarction)
• Angina (chest pain)
• Abnormal heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia and dysrhythmia)
• Heart failure
• Damage to red blood cells (hemolysis) that can result in anaemia
• Blood leaking around the outside of the prosthetic valve (paravalvular leak) or any problem with the valve that causes leaking of blood after the valve has closed (transvalvular leak)
• Any problem with the prosthetic valve that causes narrowing of the valve opening (stenosis)
• Failure of the valve to open and close properly
• Inflammation of the lining of the heart (endocarditis)

This list does not include all risks. For more information regarding valve replacement surgery, talk to your doctor.