|  | Surgeries Operations | Surgeries

Risks of Heart Valve Replacement

Heart valve replacement surgeries are very common today. Unfortunately, there are always risks when any surgery is performed, serious and deadly ones when it is a part of the heart that a surgeon is attempting to repair. Understanding what kinds of risks you face is an important part of preparing for this type of surgery.

  1. The Facts

    • The Mayo Clinic reports that heart valve replacement can relieve symptoms and prolong life. In fact, the success rate for heart valve replacement is very high. However, like any other surgery, there are risks associated with heart valve replacement. You can be at an increased risk of death, infections and/or heart damage when you undergo this procedure.

    Determining Your Risks

    • Every patient is different and your physician will determine if there are certain things about your health that put you at increased risk for complications. According to The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the risks you face will depend on your age, present health, medical condition and heart function.

    Risk of Infection

    • Unfortunately, infections are always possible during surgical procedures. Infections such as endocarditis (an infection of the lining of the heart) can be very difficult for a patient to recover from. A person with an already weakened or compromised heart who gets an infection almost certainly faces an increased recovery time. In severe cases, of course, an infection in this vital organ could result in death.

    Risk of Blood Clots

    • With any heart surgery there is an increased risk of blood clots. Blood clots can be very serious and can reach the lungs or brain where they can even be deadly.

    Risk of Medical Error

    • There is always the human factor. If the physician makes an error then there is a risk of damage being done to the heart.

    Low Risk of Death

    • Heart valve replacement surgery is done using a minimally invasive heart surgery technique. However, the blood is diverted from the heart during this surgery and the heart is stopped. Of course, anytime the heart is stopped, there is always a possibility it won't restart. But with this surgery being performed more and more, the more common risk is that a fairly long period of convalescence will be needed.

Surgeries - Related Articles