Aortic Valve Replacement Treatment in Turkey
About Aortic Valve Replacement
Key Highlights
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Restores normal blood flow from the heart to the body, improving overall circulation.Effectively relieves debilitating symptoms like severe shortness of breath, chest pain (angina), and fainting spells.Significantly improves quality of life, energy levels, and exercise capacity.Prevents life-threatening complications of valve disease, such as heart failure, stroke, or sudden cardiac death.Offers choice between durable mechanical valves (long-lasting but require blood thinners) and biological tissue valves (may not require long-term blood thinners but have a limited lifespan).Minimally invasive surgical options (like mini-sternotomy) are available for suitable candidates, leading to smaller scars and potentially faster recovery./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe Aortic Stenosis: When the valve opening is critically narrowed, restricting blood flow from the heart.
- Severe Aortic Regurgitation: When the valve leaks, causing blood to flow backward into the heart.
- Symptomatic patients experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting due to valve dysfunction.
- Asymptomatic patients with severe valve disease and evidence of heart muscle weakening (reduced ejection fraction) or enlargement.
- Damage to the aortic valve from infections like endocarditis.
- Congenital (present from birth) abnormalities of the aortic valve that cause significant problems.
- Failure or deterioration of a previously replaced biological tissue valve.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive pre-operative evaluation including blood tests, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), and echocardiogram.
- Coronary angiography to check for blockages in the heart arteries that may need to be addressed during surgery.
- Consultation with the cardiac surgeon, anesthesiologist, and possibly a cardiologist to discuss the procedure, valve type options, and risks.
- Discontinuation of certain medications (like blood thinners) as advised by the medical team, usually several days before surgery.
- Fasting (no food or drink) for at least 8 hours prior to the scheduled surgery time.
- Pre-operative shower with a special antiseptic soap to reduce skin bacteria.
- Arranging for support at home and planning for the recovery period post-discharge.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding: During or after surgery, which may require a blood transfusion or re-operation.
- Infection: Including surgical site infection or more serious infection of the new valve (prosthetic valve endocarditis).
- Blood Clots: Can lead to stroke, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism; lifelong blood thinners are required for mechanical valves to mitigate this risk.
- Irregular Heart Rhythms (Arrhythmias): Such as atrial fibrillation, which may require medication or cardioversion.
- Valve Dysfunction: The new valve may not work perfectly, or a tissue valve may degenerate over time.
- Kidney Problems: Temporary or, rarely, permanent impairment due to the stress of surgery and use of contrast dye.
- Reaction to Anesthesia.
- Death: While rare with modern techniques, it remains a risk with any major heart surgery.
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 with assistance within a day or two of surgery.
- Pain management with medications to keep discomfort controlled, especially around the sternum (breastbone) incision.
- Breathing exercises and use of an incentive spirometer to prevent lung complications like pneumonia.
- Detailed instructions on sternal precautions: no lifting over 5-10 lbs, no pushing/pulling with arms, and specific guidelines for getting in/out of bed for 6-8 weeks to allow the bone to heal.
- Discharge with medications, which may include blood thinners (especially for mechanical valves), pain relievers, and drugs for heart rate or blood pressure.
- Follow-up appointments with the surgeon and cardiologist to monitor recovery and valve function.
- Cardiac rehabilitation, a supervised exercise and education program, is strongly recommended to regain strength and reduce future heart risks.
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Typical hospital stay:
7-10 days
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Expected recovery time:
6-8 weeks for initial recovery; 3-6 months for full recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering aortic valve replacement in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for aortic valve replacement in Turkey include Istinye Üniversitesi Hastanesi Liv, Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir, Liv Hospital Ankara, 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 aortic 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 aortic valve replacement compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Aortic Valve Replacement in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated cardiac surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing aortic valve replacement.
Istanbul, Turkey
140 Doctors
Pooja Joshi, a 58-year-old primary school...
Pooja Joshi, a 58-year-old primary school teacher, had always been active and health-conscious. For over a year, she had been experiencing a gradual decline in her energy. Simple tasks like climbing the stairs to her classroom left her breathless and dizzy. She dismissed it as stress and aging, but when she began experiencing sharp chest pains and fainted during a school assembly, her husband insisted she see a doctor. An echocardiogram revealed severe aortic stenosis, a narrowing of her heart's main valve. Her cardiologist, Dr. Mehta, explained that her valve was like a rusty gate, barely opening, and that medication could only manage symptoms. He recommended an aortic valve replacement to prevent heart failure. Terrified of open-heart surgery, Pooja underwent a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), a less invasive procedure. The experience was daunting, but the medical team was reassuring. After the procedure, the immediate relief was profound, she could breathe freely again. Her recovery at home was steady, guided by cardiac rehabilitation. Emotionally, Pooja journeyed from fear and denial to immense gratitude. She returned to teaching part-time after three months, her vitality restored, with a renewed appreciation for life's simple joys and the medical technology that gave her a second chance.
Cardiac surgeons for Aortic Valve Replacement
Explore experienced cardiac surgeons who regularly perform aortic valve replacement and provide pre- and post-operative care in Turkey.
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