My mum (73, non-smoker, not overweight) has been diagnosed with 2nd degree aortic valve stenosis 5 years ago. Now deteriorating. Her cardiologist sees her every 6 months and strongly recommends surgery. She is too scared as dad died during a coronary bypass op. Any tips how to gently make her feel better about the op? She heard on the radio that some valve replacements can be done via catheter, not necessitating open heart surgery and heart-lung-bypass. Is that true for aortic valves and is it likely to become mainstream soon? She lives in Germany, so I guess good centres would be Munich, Wuerzburg and Heidelberg. Any views very appreciated!
Unlike the mitral valve which can often be repaired, the aortic valve usually requires replacement. Once the decision is made to proceed with surgery, choices regarding the type of artificial valve (prosthesis) used should be considered. In broad terms there are two types of artificial valves or prostheses: mechanical valves and biological valves. A number of excellent mechanical replacement valves or prostheses are available today. Most surgeons have a particular preference for one valve over another related to technical factors (how they are sewn into place), however from the patient's point of view there is little if any difference between valves. The principle advantage of mechanical valves is their excellent durability. From a practical standpoint, they do not wear out. The principle disadvantage is that there is a tendency for blood to clot on all mechanical valves. Therefore patients with artificial valves must take anticoagulants or blood thinners for the rest of their life. There is also a small but definite risk of blood clots causing stroke. The decision on the type of valve used should be made in conjunction with your cardiothoracic surgeon and your cardiologist. Ultimately the choice will depend on a patient's preferences, lifestyle, and individual risks as determined by age and other medical conditions. I advice you to consult surgeryplanet, which is a global healthcare facilitator. They can give details about this surgery and the good centers for the surgery.
Without surgery, a person with aortic stenosis who has angina or signs of heart failure may do poorly. Possible Complications * Arrhythmias * Endocarditis * Left-sided heart failure * Left ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement) caused by the extra work of pushing blood through the narrowed valve Aortic stenosis can be cured with surgery. After surgery there is a risk for irregular heart rhythms, which can cause sudden death, and blood clots, which can cause a stroke. There is also a risk that the new valve will stop working and need to be replaced. According to a prospective, single-center, nonrandomized study of 25 patients, percutaneous implantation of an aortic valve prosthesis in high risk patients with aortic stenosis results in marked hemodynamic and clinical improvement when successfully completed. Medium- and long-term results are unknown. When selecting the optimal therapy for individual patients, the percutaneous approach must be carefully weighed against the excellent results achieved with conventional surgery. Please note that I am not a medical professional.
