Purpose of Pulmonary Valve Surgery
Pulmonary valve disease treatments mainly depend on the severity of the condition like if a person is experiencing any signs and symptoms or if the condition is getting worse. For patients with mild pulmonary valve disease who have no symptoms, close monitoring under the supervision of a doctor might be appropriate. However, without medical attention, pulmonary valve disorder and dysfunction frequently persist and may worsen.
Pulmonary Valve Regurgitation
When the pulmonary valve does not completely seal, blood flows back into the heart causing pulmonary valve regurgitation.
Pulmonary valve stenosis
The most common method for fixing a pulmonary valve is open-heart surgery with an opening of the chest bone (sternotomy). After the operation, the bone is wired back together to avoid movement and help in healing.
Surgery or a less invasive technique called balloon valvuloplasty, which uses a cardiac catheterization approach, can be used to patch pulmonary valves that can't open completely due to stenosis. Cardiac catheterization is usually performed when the patient is awake, and it involves a much shorter hospital stay than standard heart surgery
Pulmonary atresia
Pulmonary atresia is a cardiac birth abnormality in which the valve that controls blood flow from the heart to the lungs does not form at all. Blood has problems flowing to the lungs to gather up oxygen for the body in babies with this condition.
Risks of Pulmonary Valve Surgery
Risks that are associated with pulmonary valve repair and pulmonary valve replacement can include:
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Valve dysfunction in replacement valves
- Heart rhythm problems
- Infection
- Heart attack
- Stroke
Pulmonary Valve Surgery Procedures
Before the procedure
Before admitting the patient the doctor will give a brief on what they should follow and which food to eat and what medications they should avoid
During the Procedure
For the majority of pulmonary valve repair and replacement operations, you'll be given medications (anaesthetics) to put you to sleep so you don't feel any discomfort during the operation. During the procedure, the patient will be connected to a heart-lung bypass machine, which will maintain blood flow throughout the body.
Pulmonary Valve Surgery
The most common method for fixing a pulmonary valve is open-heart surgery with an opening of the chest bone (sternotomy). After the operation, the bone is wired back together to avoid movement and help in healing.
Surgery or a less invasive technique called balloon valvuloplasty, which uses a cardiac catheterization approach, can be used to patch pulmonary valves that can't open completely due to stenosis. Cardiac catheterization is usually performed when the patient is awake, and it involves a much shorter hospital stay than standard heart surgery.
Pulmonary Valve Replacement
The pulmonary valve is removed and replaced with a mechanical valve made of artificial materials or a biological valve. Open-heart surgery or minimally invasive procedures can be used to repair a pulmonary valve. Minimally invasive methods use smaller incisions than open-heart surgery.
Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement
Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement is the most common form of minimally invasive pulmonary valve replacement. During the procedure, a catheter is inserted into a large blood vessel in the groyne or chest and directed to the heart. A new, balloon-expandable replacement pulmonary valve is then inserted at the end of the catheter. In a valve-in-valve operation, a catheter may be used to insert a new pulmonary valve into an existing replacement valve that is failing.
After the Procedure
- The patient will normally spend a day or more in the intensive care unit (ICU) after open-heart pulmonary valve repair or pulmonary valve replacement.
- Intravenous (IV) lines will be used to deliver fluids, nutrients, and medications.
- After staying in ICU for a few days the patient will then be moved to a separate room. The patient would be asked to stay for further observation
Treatment during the hospital stay:
- Watch the signs of infections in the incision sites.
- Periodically check your blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate.
- Identify if there is any pain after the surgery.
- Will provide you instruction to walk regularly for increasing the physical activity and ask you to do some breathing exercises for a speedy recovery.
Life style
The patient may gradually be able to resume regular activities after pulmonary valve repair or replacement surgery. They may need to take some drugs and follow up with their doctor regularly. Several tests can be done to determine and track the condition.
To reduce the risk of potential complications and for a healthy heart, the doctor and health care team can encourage to follow a healthy lifestyle.
The skill and experience of the doctor and hospital play a major role in the success and protection of minimally invasive pulmonary valve replacement.
