Open heart valve replacement surgery
The heart contains four valves: the aortic valve, the mitral valve, the tricuspid valve, and the pulmonary valve. With each heartbeat, these valves open and close to regulate the process of blood flow through the heart to the body and vice versa in the correct direction.
When one of these valves is damaged, it is unable to open and close properly, so its efficiency decreases. This is called heart valve disease, and this leads to a disturbance in the blood flow process from the heart to the body, so the doctor resorts to surgical intervention.
Heart valve diseases include valve stenosis, valve regurgitation, and valve prolapse. Surgical intervention includes repairing or replacing the damaged heart valve. There are two ways to perform heart valve surgery, either through open heart valve replacement surgery, or minimally invasive heart surgery.
The decision on the type of heart valve surgery appropriate for the patient depends on the doctor’s vision of the patient in terms of: age, type of heart valve disease, severity of the disease, and the patient’s health condition.
Is heart valve replacement surgery dangerous?
Heart valve replacement surgery is no longer as riskyAs in the past due to the development witnessed in new surgical techniques, but the danger lies in the possible complications after the operation, for example:
- Infection: This is one of the most serious potential complications.
- Bleeding.
- The new valve does not work.
- Heart rhythm disorder.
- brain attack.
These complications can be prevented by choosing an experienced surgeon in this field and working to follow his advice after surgery, such as Professor Dr. Muhammad Ali Al-Ghannam, who has an outstanding reputation in the field of heart surgery.
Professor Dr. Muhammad Al-Ghannam is considered one of the pioneer doctors in minimally invasive heart surgery. He has great experience due to his obtaining a fellowship from the British College of Cardiothoracic Surgery and his membership in the European Society of Thoracic Surgery.
It is worth noting that the probability of complications after heart valve replacement surgery with limited endoscopic or catheter intervention is very small compared to the percentage of complications after open heart valve replacement surgery. This is due to the small surgical incision.
What is the success rate of heart valve replacement surgery?
In general, the success rate of heart valve replacement surgery is high, reaching 98% in most cases. However, the success rate is estimated based on the patient’s condition and the risk factors associated with it.
The medical team determines the success rate of the operation and the potential risks, based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient and his medical history. In order to avoid any potential complications and ensure a high success rate of the operation, specialized and integrated care must be provided after the operation.
How much does a heart valve replacement surgery cost in Egypt?
The cost of heart valve replacement surgery in Egypt varies based on several factors, for example:
- Type of operation if it is open heart, limited intervention, endoscopic or catheterization.
- Duration of hospital stay: The length of stay varies based on the type of operation and the patient’s health condition.
- The type of valve used in surgery, as valves vary in price
- The skill, precision and experience of the surgeon.
Read more about this topic : Congenital heart defects
How is the heart valve replacement procedure performed?
Open heart valve replacement surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately three to four hours, depending on the number of valves that need to be changed.
In open-heart surgery, the medical staff sterilizes the entire chest area, then the surgeon makes a long surgical incision along the breastbone and separates it. To facilitate access to the heart.
The surgeon then stops the patient’s heart and connects the patient to a heart-lung machine that pumps blood to maintain blood circulation and ensure the body is supplied with oxygen-rich blood during the operation.
The surgeon opens the outer membrane of the heart to replace the damaged valve and sew the new valve into place.
The surgeon checks the efficiency of blood flow through the new valve, then restores blood flow through the heart to the body.
He disconnects the artificial heart-lung device, then carefully checks that there is no bleeding in the chest, after which he reattaches the rib cage bone and closes the chest wound.
Heart valve replacement without surgery
Heart surgeries have witnessed great development, and many surgeries are now performed by catheterization or by limited laparoscopic intervention without the need to open the sternum, which helps in recovery and a quick return to normal life.
One of the heart valves is replaced using a catheter as follows:
- When using a catheter, the surgeon makes small surgical incisions to insert the catheter tube into a blood vessel, which is usually in the groin, chest, or armpit area.
- The surgeon directs the catheter tube to the location of the valve, then passes the new valve through the catheter tube and places it in the area of the damaged valve and stabilizes it. The doctor removes the catheter tube once the new valve is installed.
- The decision on the technique used in the valve replacement process depends on the doctor’s vision and consultation with the patient on the appropriate method for him.
Endoscopic heart valve replacement
The laparoscopic heart valve replacement technique differs from open heart surgery to replace the heart valve in the surgical incision in terms of size and location.
Endoscopic heart valve replacement is performed as follows:
- The length of the surgical incision is about 5 cm laparoscopically, and the location of the incision varies according to the type of surgical procedure. For example: in the endoscopic mitral valve replacement surgery, the surgical incision is on the side, while in the aortic valve replacement surgery it is in the middle of the chest next to the sternum.
- The surgeon then gently widens the small incision to reach the heart and uses an endoscope to replace the damaged valve. The small incision is then closed and a catheter is inserted to drain the accumulated fluid around the heart.
Life after heart valve replacement
Some patients may think that their lives will become more difficult after the valve replacement procedure, but Professor Dr. Muhammad Al-Ghannam, a consultant in open-heart and minimally invasive surgery, confirms that the patient returns to normal life as before, with some attention to lifestyle and diet.
- You must follow a healthy diet based on protein, fruits and vegetables, and avoid harmful fats and sugars.
- Then, practicing walking and light exercise helps improve breathing and stimulate blood circulation.
- As for the marital relationship, it is possible to return to it 3 weeks after the valve replacement surgery in some cases, but the doctor must be consulted about the marital relationship and what suits the patient’s condition.
- The valve replacement process does not hinder the planning procedures for pregnancy and childbirth for women, but a doctor must be consulted and constantly followed up with him and knowledge of the appropriate time and instructions to avoid any risk or complications.
Price of heart valve replacement surgery
Open heart valve replacement surgery is a very delicate surgery, and there is a difference in calculating the price of the operation, because the price depends on several factors that we mentioned above, and one of the main factors is choosing a surgeon who is known for his competence and accuracy, so you must choose a surgeon who has the following:
- Excellent experience in the field of cardiac surgery.
- Good reputation among patients.
- He has performed many valve replacement surgeries without causing any risks or complications to patients.
- Ease of communication with him after the operation and good follow-up during the recovery phase.
- You can also contact us online to find out about the available installment programs.
In conclusion, we clarify that open heart valve replacement surgery is a complex surgical operation, but great scientific development has helped achieve high success rates.
The decision on the type of surgery, whether it is a traditional open-heart operation, a minimally invasive technique, or a catheter, depends on the doctor’s view of the patient’s condition.
Taking into account the desire of some patients to have surgery suitable for their condition and a simple cosmetic wound, this achieves the best result.
Minimally invasive laparoscopic heart surgeries also have many benefits in addition to the cosmetic appearance compared to regular surgery, for example: returning to normal life within a few days, and does not require wearing a chest belt, in addition to ease of life after the operation and fewer complications, with attention to the doctor’s instructions.
If you have more questions about open-heart valve replacement surgery or about the cost of the operation and installment programs, you can contact the clinic of Professor Dr. Muhammad Al-Ghannam, consultant in open-heart and minimally invasive surgery.
