The heart is the first organ to develop in humans. It is in charge of the blood flow. At the level of the heart, there are 4 large valves which are the aortic valve, the pulmonary valve, the tricuspid valve, and the mitral valve.
In many cases, due to some heart diseases, these valves do not function in a normal way, for example, they may not open enough (valve narrowing) or not close hermetically (valvular insufficiency).
In these cases, then, we are talking about valvuloplasties that require surgery (replacement of heart valves). Valvuloplasties are cardiac surgeries that consist in substituting the natural valve with a graft or mechanical device.
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- People with aortic valve regurgitation
- People with aortic valve stenosis
- People with congenital heart disease
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Infection
- Valve malfunction
- Stroke
- The procedure can last between 3 and 6 hours
- Convalescence can last 4 to 8 weeks
- Back to professional activities: 6-8 weeks
- Back to sports activities: after 3 months
- 94%
Replacing a Heart Halve in Istanbul: what is it?
These pulmonary and aortic valve replacements in hospitals in IstanbulTurkey are cardiovascular surgery used for a long time. It is the medical treatment in Turkey that deals with sick valves. The operation involves removing the infected valve and replacing it with a new biological or mechanical valve.
Types of material used in Surgery
There are several techniques used in valve replacement surgery. These techniques depend on the material from which the artificial valve is made.
Mechanical heart valves
They are made of prosthetic material and do not need to be replaced.
There are several available models for heart valve replacement surgeries. The main benefit of mechanical valves is that they have a long lifespan. However, these valves have a surface that increases the risk of blood clots.
Therefore, anyone with a mechanical valve implanted in his heart needs to be on lifelong anticoagulation drugs. This prevents blood clots that can lead to heart attacks or strokes. Women of child-bearing age are not good candidates for mechanical valves, as the blood-thinning medication is contraindicated for pregnant women.
Biological heart valves
They are made from animal tissue or can come from donors (homograft).
Like mechanical valves, the bottom of a biological heart valve is often surrounded by a ring of knitted fabric that is stitched to the heart. Biological or tissue valves can be used in open-heart surgery or a minimally invasive one known.
The main advantage of biological heart valves is that the patient doesn’t need to be on lifelong anticoagulant medication. Indeed, this type of valve doesn’t lead to the development of blood clots.
The disadvantage of tissue valves is their short lifespan compared to mechanical ones. They require a replacement after 10 to 20 years.
The procedure of the valve replacement operation
Replacement of heart valves is a delicate surgical procedure that requires a lot of preparation before the day of the operation. Generally, each patient should stop smoking a few months before the operation, and stop taking some medications like aspirin. Thus, an appointment with the surgeon, blood tests, X-rays, and physical examinations are mandatory to determine the patient's state of health. The procedure can last between 3 and 6 hours, under general anesthesia.
During the operation, the surgeon opens the chest to access the heart and the sick valve. At this point, the heart is stopped momentarily (the patient is under extracorporeal circulation). Once the valve is replaced, the operation is finished, the patient stays between 24 hours and 48 hours in the Intensive Care Unit under control and will be transferred to another room. Although surgeons use very advanced techniques, there is always the risk of infection, bleeding.
Our professionals are very experienced with these situations and are good at managing them.
Valvuloplasty Cost in Istanbul Turkey
Heart valve replacement cost in Turkey is affordable with our partner clinics and hospitals. You will be treated by the best doctors and cardiologists in the most reputable medical centers.
Turquie Santé allows you to compare the offers of specialized clinics in valve replacement surgeries while discussing with well-experienced Turkish doctors and cardiologists. However, you can request an appointment from a distance.
We negotiate for you competitive prices for the change of a heart valve.
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To regain the ventilatory capacities of the patient as soon as possible, a special follow-up based on respiratory physiotherapy is necessary to remedy the irregularities caused by the opening of the sternum.
1 in 20 patients who have performed a valvuloplasty will have complications during the first months after aortic valve replacement.
Heart valve surgery is indicated for:
- Aortic and mitral stenosis;
- Aortic and mitral insufficiency.
A Mechanical valve lasts longer than a biological valve and requires a lifetime anticoagulant therapy. As for the biological valve, the anticoagulant treatment is temporary, and sometimes it is not necessary.
For six days, including two under intensive care.
The success rate of heart valve replacement in Turkey is 94%.
