Aortic Valve Replacement Information

Aortic Valve Replacement Information

Aortic Valve Replacement Information

The aortic valve is the valve in between the aorta and left ventricle of the heart. It is normally tricuspid (has three leaflets) but 1-2% of the population are born with bicuspid (has two leaflets) aortic valves.

The aortic valve has two known functions. It is where oxygenated blood leaves the heart and eventually travels to different parts of the body. It is also like a cover that prevents the oxygenated blood from flowing or leaking back to the heart when the heart is in a relaxed state after a contraction.

Aging has an adverse effect on the aortic valve, it tends to become harder and thicker and this makes blood flow more difficult. When this happens the heart has to compensate by working harder.

Aortic stenosis is the medical term for the hardening and thickening of the aortic valve. Aortic stenosis is the main reason why aortic valve replacement surgery is needed.

Causes of Aortic Stenosis

Three conditions are known to cause aortic stenosis and the need for an aortic valve replacement surgery. The first condition that is known to cause this problem with the aortic valve is congenitally having a bicuspid aortic valve instead of the normal tricuspid aortic valve. This deformity causes the aortic valve to function improperly.

For some years, it can function normally but sooner or later problems and symptoms will be felt by the person. The cause of having bicuspid aortic valve is still unclear but this defect develops during the early part of pregnancy. This birth defect is also more common in men.

The second condition that is known to cause aortic stenosis is called senile calcific aortic stenosis. This is the most common cause for aortic stenosis in elderly people (more than 90% of patients above 65 years old). Heavy calcification of the aortic valve causes the blood flow to be disrupted thus requiring the heart to work harder. Scientists are still studying why this only happens to some people and not to most.

The third condition that is known to cause aortic stenosis is due to rheumatic fever as a child or as a young adult. Rheumatic heart disease causes scarring and damage to the aortic valve. This can interrupt blood flow and cause aortic regurgitation or blood flow back to the heart during the heart's relaxed phase. Rheumatic heart disease is only common in underdeveloped countries.

What is Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery?

An aortic valve replacement surgery is an open heart surgical procedure that replaces a diseased or defective aortic valve with a new mechanical or biological aortic valve. This procedure usually only takes 2-3 hours if there are no complications and the mortality rate for this surgery is only about 2%.

A biological replacement valve is made from the outer layer of a pig or cow's heart (pericardium). Human tissue can also be used but this is not commonly used due to the convenience of pericardium sources. Biological replacement valves can only last up to 15 years. For mechanical replacement valves, these practically last a lifetime but the problem is the person has to regularly take blood thinners in order to prevent blood clots.

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