About Heart Valve Replacement
Key Highlights
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Restores normal blood flow and improves heart efficiency.Alleviates debilitating symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue.Significantly enhances quality of life and physical activity tolerance.Prevents further heart damage and life-threatening complications like heart failure.Offers long-term durability, especially with mechanical valves.Can be performed using minimally invasive techniques for select patients, leading to faster recovery./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe aortic or mitral valve stenosis (narrowing) causing symptoms.
- Severe aortic or mitral valve regurgitation (leakage) causing symptoms or heart enlargement.
- Infection of the heart valve (endocarditis) that does not respond to antibiotics.
- Valve failure or deterioration of a previously placed biological tissue valve.
- Congenital heart valve defects causing significant hemodynamic problems.
- Valve damage following a heart attack or other cardiac event.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive pre-operative evaluation including echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization, and blood tests.
- Detailed discussion with the cardiac surgeon and anesthesiologist about the procedure, risks, and valve type choice.
- Discontinuation of certain medications like blood thinners (aspirin, warfarin) as advised by the cardiologist.
- Management of other health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Pre-operative fasting for at least 8 hours before surgery.
- Pre-operative shower with antiseptic soap to reduce skin bacteria.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding during or after surgery, potentially requiring transfusion.
- Blood clot formation leading to stroke, heart attack, or valve malfunction.
- Infection of the surgical site, heart valve (prosthetic endocarditis), or lungs.
- Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) requiring medication or a pacemaker.
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Valve dysfunction over time (wear, tear, or leakage).
- Kidney dysfunction, especially in patients with pre-existing kidney disease.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial 1-2 days in the Cardiac ICU for close monitoring of heart function, bleeding, and vital signs.
- Progressive mobilization, starting with sitting in a chair and short walks within a day or two after surgery.
- Pain management with medications to aid breathing and movement.
- Lifelong blood-thinning medication (anticoagulants like warfarin) if a mechanical valve is implanted.
- Cardiac rehabilitation program involving supervised exercise, education, and counseling.
- Follow-up appointments for wound care, medication adjustment, and echocardiograms to monitor valve function.
- Adherence to activity restrictions (no heavy lifting, driving) for several weeks as advised.
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Typical hospital stay: 7-10 days
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Expected recovery time: 6-12 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering heart valve replacement in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for heart valve replacement in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform heart valve replacement. MediFyr helps you compare cardiac surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for heart valve replacement compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Heart Valve Replacement in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated cardiac surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing heart valve replacement.
Karan Saxena, a 58-year-old accountant from...
Karan Saxena, a 58-year-old accountant from Delhi, had always been active, but over the past year, he found himself increasingly short of breath. A former weekend cricketer, he could now barely climb a flight of stairs without stopping to gasp for air. He also felt a persistent, uncomfortable fluttering in his chest. His family doctor heard a heart murmur and referred him to a cardiologist. An echocardiogram revealed severe aortic stenosis, a dangerously narrowed heart valve. The cardiologist explained that medication could only manage symptoms; the only definitive treatment was a surgical aortic valve replacement. Terrified of open-heart surgery, Karan delayed the decision for months, his anxiety fueled by stories of long recoveries. Finally, worsening symptoms forced his hand. He underwent a successful biological valve replacement. The first few days in the ICU were difficult, but with the support of cardiac rehab, he gradually regained his strength. Within three months, he was walking several kilometers a day without breathlessness. Emotionally, he journeyed from fear and denial to profound gratitude. He now cherishes his second chance, viewing his chest scar not as a wound, but as a badge of survival, and has become an advocate for early heart check-ups among his friends.
Cardiac surgeons for Heart Valve Replacement
Explore experienced cardiac surgeons who regularly perform heart valve replacement and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 31 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiac surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 37 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 30 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
- 31 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 30 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 23 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 37 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 8 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 17 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore