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Valve Surgery

Heart Valve Repair & Replacement

Restoring proper heart valve function through repair or replacement

Overview

Heart valve surgery addresses diseases affecting the four valves of the heart — mitral, aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonary. These valves ensure that blood flows in one direction through the heart. When a valve becomes stenotic (narrowed) or regurgitant (leaky), it forces the heart to work harder and can lead to heart failure if left untreated.

Valve disease can be treated either by repairing the existing valve or replacing it with a new one. Whenever possible, valve repair is preferred over replacement as it preserves the patient's native tissue, avoids the need for lifelong blood thinners (in many cases), and offers excellent long-term outcomes.

Dr. Nisarga has extensive experience in complex valve repair and reconstruction, employing the latest techniques to restore optimal valve function. His approach includes minimally invasive and robotic-assisted options when appropriate.

Key Facts

3–7 days

Typical Hospital Stay

15–20 years

Durability of Valve Repair

Preferred

Repair over Replacement

95%+

Successful Repair Rate

Conditions Treated

Heart Valve Repair & Replacement is used to treat the following conditions

Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Leaking of the mitral valve causing backward blood flow

Mitral Valve Stenosis

Narrowing of the mitral valve opening

Aortic Valve Stenosis

Narrowing of the aortic valve, restricting blood flow from the heart

Aortic Valve Regurgitation

Leaking of the aortic valve

Tricuspid Valve Disease

Regurgitation or stenosis of the tricuspid valve

Mitral Valve Prolapse

Bulging of the mitral valve leaflets into the left atrium

Infective Endocarditis

Valve infection causing destruction or dysfunction

Symptoms

Patients with conditions requiring Valve Surgery may experience one or more of the following symptoms. It is important to note that some conditions may be asymptomatic in their early stages.

Shortness of breath, especially with activity or when lying flat
Fatigue and weakness
Heart murmurs detected on physical examination
Palpitations or irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation)
Swelling in the ankles, feet, or abdomen
Chest pain or tightness
Dizziness or fainting
Rapid weight gain from fluid retention

Important: These symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions. If you experience any of these symptoms, please consult a qualified healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Diagnosis

A thorough diagnostic evaluation is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning

Clinical examination — murmur detection and symptom assessment
Echocardiography (transthoracic and transesophageal) — primary diagnostic tool
Electrocardiogram (ECG) for rhythm evaluation
Chest X-ray to assess heart size and pulmonary circulation
Cardiac catheterization for hemodynamic assessment
CT scan for pre-operative planning, especially for minimally invasive approaches
Cardiac MRI for detailed valve morphology and ventricular function
Exercise stress testing to evaluate functional capacity

Treatment Options

The choice of treatment depends on the specific condition, its severity, and individual patient factors

Medical Monitoring

Regular surveillance with echocardiography for mild disease

Medications

Diuretics, vasodilators, and rate control for symptom management

Valve Repair

Surgical reconstruction of the native valve — the preferred approach

Valve Replacement with Biological Valve

Replacement using tissue valve from human, cow, or pig

Valve Replacement with Mechanical Valve

Replacement using a mechanical prosthesis requiring lifelong blood thinners

Transcatheter Valve Procedures

Catheter-based valve replacement or repair for select patients

Surgical Approach

How the procedure is performed by Dr. Nisarga and his team

1

The surgical approach depends on the valve involved, the nature of the disease, and patient factors.

2

For mitral valve repair: Dr. Nisarga uses techniques including leaflet resection, chordal replacement, and annuloplasty ring placement.

3

For aortic valve replacement: The diseased valve is excised and a new biological or mechanical prosthesis is sutured in place.

4

Robotic or minimally invasive approaches may be used for mitral and tricuspid valve surgery through small chest incisions.

5

For complex cases involving multiple valves or concomitant bypass surgery, a sternotomy approach is utilised.

6

Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography is routinely used to assess the quality of repair or replacement before completing the procedure.

Benefits

Why patients and physicians choose Valve Surgery

Valve repair preserves the patient's own tissue and ventricular function
Repair avoids the need for lifelong anticoagulation (blood thinners) in most cases
Excellent long-term durability of valve repair — often 15–20 years
Significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life
Restored exercise capacity and functional status
Minimally invasive options reduce recovery time and pain
Biological valves eliminate the need for lifelong blood thinners
Robotic-assisted valve surgery offers faster recovery with less scarring

Recovery & Rehabilitation

What to expect during the recovery period after Valve Surgery

ICU monitoring for 24–48 hours after valve surgery.
Total hospital stay typically 5–7 days for sternotomy, 3–5 days for minimally invasive approaches.
Gradual return to activities over 4–8 weeks depending on the surgical approach.
Patients with mechanical valves require lifelong anticoagulation with regular INR monitoring.
Patients with biological valves are usually weaned off blood thinners within 3–6 months.
Cardiac rehabilitation is an important part of the recovery process.
Lifelong follow-up with regular echocardiograms to monitor valve function.
Antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures is recommended for all valve patients.

A Word from Dr. Nisarga

Robotic and minimally invasive approaches have revolutionized valve surgery, particularly for mitral and tricuspid valve disease. These techniques allow Dr. Nisarga to perform complex valve repairs through small incisions between the ribs, avoiding sternotomy. This results in less pain, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, and superior cosmetic outcomes — all while maintaining the same high standards of valve repair quality.

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Take the first step towards advanced cardiac care. Dr. Nisarga and his team are here to help.

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