Dr Gareth: My Casebook Heart Valve Replacement

Jul 6 2008 Dr Gareth Smith

THE heart contains four valves that control the direction of blood flow around the heart.

Occasionally these valves can either become narrowed where less blood than normal gets through or they can leak where blood flows in the wrong direction.

The two most commonly affected valves are the inlet (mitral) valve and the outlet (aortic) valve.

If the damage to the valve is severe it can put excess strain on the heart and lead to problems getting blood to the lungs leading to shortness of breath and difficulty getting blood around the body.

Valve replacement surgery has become very common over the last 20 years and is now the treatment of choice for severe valve disease.

Valves can be replaced by either a mechanical or tissue version.

Mechanical valves are more efficient and last longer but patients will need blood thinning medication for the rest of their lives.

Tissue valves don't last as long but they don't usually require medication.

Complications of surgery are rare but can include stroke, infection and wear and tear to the valve.