Aortic valve replacement surgery is done for rectification of damaged aortic valves. In this procedure, a different artificial valve replaces patient’s aortic valve. The aortic valve keeps the oxygenated blood flowing away from our heart for the requirement of our body. It acts as one-way swaying door that lets the blood flow in forward direction and does not let the blood come back in to the heart. This valve usually has three flaps and can be inflicted with disease due to a number of causes. The net result of these may make the valve either too narrow or it may let the blood slip back in to the heart by becoming leaky. Open heart surgery is typically required to replace the valve if it becomes dysfunctional. Until recently, this procedure could only be done by open-heart surgery.

Newer breakthrough in valve surgery
Aortic stenosis or narrowing of the aortic valve is a common disease process in the adult population, with increased prevalence in advanced age. It is estimated that 300,000 patients have severe aortic stenosis in the United States, and approximately 60,000 patients undergo aortic valve replacement there every year. Until now the only effective treatment for severe aortic stenosis had been aortic valve replacement, which requires an open heart surgery. In this operation the breastbone or sternum is cut and the patient is placed on the heart-lung machine during the surgery. But not all patients are suitable for this life saving procedure and the most common reasons when this surgery is avoided in patients of severe disease had been advanced age and presence of other co-existing illnesses. The arrival of a percutaneous approach to Aortic valve replacement surgery where a synthetic valve is transported to the heart through a small hole made in groin, offers a new option to such patients who are, at high risk for surgery or those who cannot undergo surgery. This procedure is much similar to that of balloon angioplasty or putting up a stent in the heart arteries.

... contd.