Living with heart valve disease?

Valvular disease can be daunting. Arm yourself with knowledge.

What is valvular heart disease (VHD)?

Valvular heart disease (VHD) occurs when one or more valves in your heart is damaged or diseased and does not work properly.

When left untreated, VHD can become a serious, progressive disease.

Healthy aortic valve

Diseased aortic valve

Today, there are several treatment options for VHD, including medications, heart valve repair, or heart valve replacement. Medications cannot correct the valve damage or cure heart valve disease; they can only help alleviate the symptoms you feel from VHD. You and your doctor may need to discuss the repair or replacement of your damaged heart valve.

Be sure to talk with your doctor to get the answers you need to make well-informed decisions.

Discussing surgical valve replacement with your doctor

Your doctor may recommend open heart surgery or minimally invasive surgery. Open-heart surgery is accomplished through one incision in the front of your chest. In contrast, minimally invasive surgery is performed through smaller incisions on the side of your chest, and the procedure may be done with the help of high-powered cameras, tools, or robotic arms through the incisions.

Types of heart surgery

Port

Type of minimally invasive surgery.

Thoracotomy

Minimally invasive surgery where the incision is made between the ribs.

Sternotomy

Open heart surgery accesses the heart through an incision in the sternum.

Minimally invasive surgery is often associated with less scarring, reduced pain and faster healing. Minimally invasive surgery still requires a surgical opening and exposes the heart. You will need to be put on cardiopulmonary bypass, where a machine temporarily takes over the function of your heart and lungs, for either type of surgery. Some surgeons can do both techniques, but some might specialize in one or the other. You and your doctor should discuss the best approach for you.

Even though the idea of heart valve surgery can seem scary, nearly a half million cardiac surgeries were performed in the US in 2018. Your doctor will help you make a treatment decision based on your lifestyle and recommended guidelines. These recommended guidelines are based on years of heart valve research.

Learn about your valve options Learn about RESILIA mitral valve Learn about RESILIA aortic valve

How to prepare for heart valve surgery

It's normal to feel afraid or worried before any surgical procedure. Yet postponing surgery may put your health in danger. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to lessen your fears, remain confident, and prepare yourself or a loved one for surgery.

Trust and talk to your medical care team

It is important to take all the information your healthcare team provides and decide what is best for you. Your primary care physician and cardiologist are your frontline team. They will refer you to a heart team with a cardiac surgeon, who can discuss with you your best course of action. If surgery is recommended, the cardiac surgeon and a highly specialized team of nurses and anesthesiologists will handle your care. Please ask your team all the questions you have on your mind. If you feel like you are not getting the answers you need, please seek additional opinions. Be honest about your feelings and discuss them with your team.

Empower yourself with knowledge

It can be stressful when you don't know what's going to happen, so be sure to ask questions and get the answers you need. Your doctor should provide detailed information about what to expect before, during, and after surgery.
An understanding of how anesthesia works may also help address some of your concerns about surgery.
It may be helpful to involve a caregiver, family member, or friend to support you through the learning, discussion, and decision-making process.

Deal with practical concerns

Build your personal support group, including someone to help you. Understand what that person will need to do, and who will cover your work, caregiving, or other duties. Know what will be expected of you, understand your expected recovery time, and what you can do to fill your days during recovery.
Make sure that you get things ready, including personal items in your hospital bag. Prepare your home with the essentials you will need for a comfortable recovery.

What to expect before, during, and after heart valve surgery

1 / 4

Patient sitting in hospital bed talking with healthcare professional

During surgery

The heart surgeon will make an incision in the chest. Your heart will be kept still enough for the surgeon to operate. A heart-lung machine will pump blood through your body while the surgeon repairs or replaces your diseased or damaged valve.
Once the diseased or damaged valve is repaired or replaced, your incision will be closed, and you will wake up in the ICU where you will be cared for and given medicine for any pain.
After a few days, depending on your recovery, you may be moved to a specialized floor where you will continue your recovery and prepare to go home.

After surgery

It will take about six weeks for the incision to completely heal. However, each person is different, and recovery times can vary.
You will see your surgeon within a few weeks after surgery. After that, you will need regular check-ups with a cardiologist.
Ask your doctor how you can be an active participant in getting and staying healthy after surgery, including recommendations for diet and exercise that are right for you.
Be sure to call or see your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your health, especially if you have any unusual symptoms or changes in your overall health.
After surgery many patients participate in a formal cardiac rehabilitation program, so ask your doctor what is available to you. Cardiac rehab is a customized outpatient program of exercise, education, and emotional support. The program is designed to help you improve your health and recover from surgery. The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology recommend cardiac rehabilitation programs following heart surgery.

Before surgery

Day of surgery

During surgery

After Surgery

Before surgery

In most cases you will have medical tests and your doctor will take images of your heart. These tests will help your doctor assess your overall health, any allergies, your body structure, and the best surgery type for you.

Day of surgery

You will probably be asked to check in at the pre-operating room as scheduled by your surgeon.
Once settled, you may be given medication to help you relax or sleep.

During surgery

The heart surgeon will make an incision in the chest. Your heart will be kept still enough for the surgeon to operate. A heart-lung machine will pump blood through your body while the surgeon repairs or replaces your diseased or damaged valve.
Once the diseased or damaged valve is repaired or replaced, your incision will be closed, and you will wake up in the ICU where you will be cared for and given medicine for any pain.
After a few days, depending on your recovery, you may be moved to a specialized floor where you will continue your recovery and prepare to go home.

After surgery

It will take about six weeks for the incision to completely heal. However, each person is different, and recovery times can vary.
You will see your surgeon within a few weeks after surgery. After that, you will need regular check-ups with a cardiologist.
Ask your doctor how you can be an active participant in getting and staying healthy after surgery, including recommendations for diet and exercise that are right for you.
Be sure to call or see your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your health, especially if you have any unusual symptoms or changes in your overall health.
After surgery many patients participate in a formal cardiac rehabilitation program, so ask your doctor what is available to you. Cardiac rehab is a customized outpatient program of exercise, education, and emotional support. The program is designed to help you improve your health and recover from surgery. The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology recommend cardiac rehabilitation programs following heart surgery.

Returning to health is a process involving head and heart

As your healing progresses, you should gradually feel an improvement in your quality of life. Having the courage to deal with your heart valve disease could allow you to do the things that are important to you and spend more time with the people you care about.

Learn about your valve options Learn about RESILIA mitral valve Learn about RESILIA aortic valve

Prepare to talk to your doctor with the informed discussion guide

Surgical aortic valve replacement:
Choosing the right valve for you

View guide

Old african man wearing glasses laughing

We're here for you

We are committed to providing the highest levels of customer service to help our patients improve their quality of life. For any questions, please contact the Edwards Patient Support Center.

Give us a call

888.713.1564

Send us an email

patient_support@edwards.com

Important Risk Information

INSPIRIS RESILIA aortic valve

Indications: For use in replacement of native or prosthetic aortic heart valves.

Contraindications (Who should not receive): There are no known contraindications with the use of the INSPIRIS RESILIA aortic valve.

Complications and Side Effects: The risks with the INSPIRIS RESILIA aortic valve are similar to risks with other heart valves, and include the following:

Heart failure
Leaking from the valve or areas around the valve
Improper opening and closing of the valve
Damage to red blood cells that can result in low red blood cell count
Heart lining inflammation
Heart infection
Abnormal bleeding or bleeding problems from using blood thinners
Clots from around the valve or other areas of the heart entering the bloodstream and blocking blood flow
Heart attack
Heart rhythm problems that may lead to the need for implanting a permanent pacemaker, a device that helps your heart beat in regular rhythm
Allergic reaction to the materials in the valve

These could lead to the need for reoperation to replace the valve, permanent disability, or death.

This is not a complete list of all the risks that can occur with heart valve surgery. Your doctor can give you more information about these and other risks. This information is not a substitute for talking with your doctor.

MITRIS RESILIA mitral valve

Indications: For use in replacement of native or prosthetic mitral heart valves.

Contraindications (Who should not receive): There are no known contraindications with the use of the MITRIS RESILIA mitral valve.

Complications and Side Effects: The risks with the MITRIS RESILIA mitral valve are similar to risks with other heart valves, and include the following:

Heart failure
Leaking from the valve or areas around the valve
Improper opening and closing of the valve
Damage to red blood cells that can result in low red blood cell count
Heart lining inflammation
Heart infection
Abnormal bleeding or bleeding problems from using blood thinners
Clots from around the valve or other areas of the heart entering the bloodstream and blocking blood flow
Heart attack
Heart rhythm problems that may lead to the need for implanting a permanent pacemaker, a device that helps your heart beat in regular rhythm
Injury could occur to the heart tissue or blood flow could be blocked
Allergic reaction to the materials in the valve

These could lead to the need for reoperation to replace the valve, permanent disability, or death.

KONECT RESILIA aortic valved conduit

Indications: For use in replacement of native or prosthetic aortic heart valves and the associated repair and replacement of a damaged or diseased ascending aorta.

Contraindications (Who should not receive): There are no known contraindications with the use of the KONECT RESILIA aortic valve conduit.

Complications and Side Effects: The risks with the KONECT RESILIA aortic valve conduit are similar to risks with other heart valves, and include the following:

Heart failure
Leaking from the valve or areas around the valve
Improper opening and closing of the valve
Damage to red blood cells that can result in low red blood cell count
Heart lining inflammation
Heart infection
Abnormal bleeding or bleeding problems from using blood thinners
Clots from around the valve or other areas of the heart entering the bloodstream and blocking blood flow
Heart attack
Heart rhythm problems that may lead to the need for implanting a permanent pacemaker, a device that helps your heart beat in regular rhythm
Allergic reaction to the materials in the valve or graft
Graft infection
Ballooning and weakening of an area in an artery
Blood collecting between the layers of an artery
Fluid buildup under the surface of the skin
Fluid buildup around the graft
Blockage of a blood vessel
New tissue growth on the graft
Enlargement of the graft

These could lead to the need for reoperation to replace the valve, permanent disability, or death.

CAUTION: Federal (United States) law restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician.