The most common types of valvular heart disease involve a valve that does not completely open (stenosis) or a valve that does not completely close (insufficiency). A valve that does not completely open (valvular stenosis) produces an increased pressure in the emptying heart chamber because of the incomplete forward flow of blood. A valve that does not completely close (valvular insufficiency) produces an overload in the emptying heart chamber because blood is allowed to flow back and forth through the valve like a swinging door. Leakage of blood through the improperly functioning valve is often detected as a heart murmur on a physical examination. Both valvular stenosis and valvular insufficiency increase the workload of the heart.
Surgical repair (valvuloplasty) of the diseased valve or replacement of the valve should allow the heart to function more efficiently. If valve replacement is required, the damaged valve is removed and replaced by an artificial valve prosthesis. This artificial valve is either a mchancial valve or a tissue valve. Your surgeon will discuss with you the type of valve he feels is best for your particular valve defect.
Some patients require anticoagulant medication following a valve replacement to slow the clotting of the blood. This medication reduces the possibility of blood clots as the blood flows through the valve. Anticoagulant medications are closely monitored by blood tests. This and other information related to vavular heart operations will be discussed with you in detail by one of the thoracic surgery clinical nurse specialists before discharge from the hospital.
Acknowledgements
Content: Jaelene K. Williams, RN, MS
Medical Illustrations: Kathleen Wagner
Illustrations: Catherine Gendron