Overview

Heart Valve Surgery is a specialised cardiac procedure used to repair or replace a damaged heart valve that is affecting normal blood flow through the heart. Heart valve disease can occur when a valve becomes narrowed, known as stenosis, or does not close properly, known as regurgitation. If untreated, severe valve disease can lead to breathlessness, fatigue, swelling, irregular heartbeat, and heart failure.

At Sarvodaya Hospital, we provide comprehensive Heart Valve Disease Treatment, including valve repair, Heart Valve Replacement Surgery, and selected Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery procedures. Our cardiac team evaluates the type and severity of valve disease, overall health, age, and surgical suitability before recommending the most appropriate treatment.

Why Heart Valve Surgery Is Required

Heart valve surgery is recommended when valve disease becomes severe, causes significant symptoms, affects heart function, or increases the risk of complications. Treatment may be required for conditions affecting the aortic, mitral, tricuspid, or pulmonary valves.

At Sarvodaya Hospital, we evaluate patients with conditions such as severe aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid valve disease, and damaged or infected heart valves. Surgery may be considered when medicines are no longer sufficient or when the valve problem is likely to worsen heart function.

Early and appropriate Heart Valve Disease Treatment can improve blood flow, reduce symptoms, support heart function, and improve quality of life.

Conditions Treated with Heart Valve Surgery

Heart valve surgery may be recommended for:

• Aortic valve stenosis
• Aortic valve regurgitation
• Mitral valve stenosis
• Mitral valve regurgitation
• Tricuspid valve disease
• Pulmonary valve disease
• Congenital valve abnormalities
• Damaged or infected heart valves
• Severe valve disease affecting heart function

Heart Valve Surgery Procedure

The treatment begins with a detailed cardiac evaluation to determine the severity and type of valve disease. Depending on the condition, doctors may use echocardiography, ECG, chest imaging, cardiac CT, cardiac catheterisation, and other tests to assess valve structure and heart function.

During surgery, the cardiac team may repair the existing valve or replace it with an artificial valve. Valve repair may involve reshaping or supporting the valve so it opens and closes more effectively. When repair is not suitable, Heart Valve Replacement Surgery may be performed using a mechanical or biological tissue valve.

For selected patients, Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery approaches may be considered to reduce surgical trauma and support recovery.

Heart Valve Repair vs Replacement

Valve repair preserves the patient's existing valve and is preferred when the valve can be restored effectively and safely. Repair may involve correcting damaged valve tissue, supporting valve structures, or improving the way the valve closes.

Valve replacement is performed when the valve is severely damaged or cannot be repaired reliably. The damaged valve is removed and replaced with a mechanical or biological prosthetic valve.

Our cardiac team assesses the valve condition, age, medical history, lifestyle, and long-term requirements before recommending the most appropriate option.

Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery

At Sarvodaya Hospital, selected patients may undergo Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery through smaller surgical access points rather than conventional open-heart surgery.

This approach can reduce surgical trauma and may help minimise post-operative pain, blood loss, scarring, and hospital stay. It can also support earlier mobilisation and recovery in appropriately selected patients.

The suitability of minimally invasive surgery depends on the type of valve disease, valve anatomy, previous surgeries, overall health, and complexity of the procedure. Our cardiac surgeons assess each patient individually before recommending this approach.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery

• Smaller Incisions: Smaller surgical access points can reduce tissue trauma and visible scarring.
• Reduced Post-operative Discomfort: Less disruption to surrounding tissues may help reduce pain during recovery.
• Earlier Mobilisation: Patients may begin movement and rehabilitation earlier when clinically appropriate.
• Shorter Hospital Stay: Selected patients may have a shorter hospital stay compared with conventional open surgery.
• Faster Recovery: Minimally invasive approaches can support an earlier return to routine activities in suitable patients.

Technology and Infrastructure

Sarvodaya Hospital offers advanced cardiac infrastructure for Heart Valve Surgery, including modern cardiac operation theatres, high-definition echocardiography, transoesophageal echocardiography, cardiac catheterisation facilities, advanced cardiac imaging, and real-time patient monitoring systems.

Our cardiac surgical services are supported by heart-lung bypass technology, specialised valve surgery instruments, advanced anaesthesia systems, cardiac ICU facilities, and dedicated post-operative rehabilitation services.

Our multidisciplinary team includes cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, cardiac anaesthetists, intensivists, imaging specialists, and rehabilitation experts who work together to provide comprehensive care throughout diagnosis, surgery, and recovery.

Benefits of Heart Valve Replacement Surgery

• Restores Normal Blood Flow : Heart valve replacement helps restore more effective blood flow through the heart when a severely damaged valve cannot be repaired.
• Reduces Cardiac Symptoms: Successful treatment can reduce breathlessness, fatigue, swelling, chest discomfort, and reduced exercise tolerance caused by severe valve disease.
• Supports Heart Function : Treating severe valve disease can reduce the workload on the heart and help protect cardiac function.
• Improves Quality of Life: Appropriate valve treatment can improve physical activity, daily functioning, and overall quality of life.
• Provides Long-term Valve Function :Modern mechanical and tissue valves can provide durable valve function, with the choice depending on individual medical and lifestyle factors.

Post-Treatment Lifestyle Modifications

• Follow Cardiac Rehabilitation : Participate in a structured rehabilitation programme to gradually improve strength, stamina, mobility, and cardiovascular fitness.
• Take Medicines as Prescribed : Continue prescribed medicines, including anticoagulants when required, exactly as advised by the cardiac team.
• Maintain a Heart-Healthy Diet : Follow a balanced diet with appropriate portions while limiting excessive salt, unhealthy fats, and processed foods.
• Stay Physically Active : Gradually increase physical activity according to medical advice and avoid strenuous exercise until your cardiac team confirms it is safe.
• Monitor Your Symptoms : Report breathlessness, chest discomfort, palpitations, swelling, dizziness, or unusual fatigue to your cardiac team promptly.
• Attend Regular Follow-ups : Regular cardiac consultations and imaging help monitor heart function, valve performance, and long-term recovery.

Why Choose Sarvodaya Hospital for Heart Valve Surgery?

• Experienced Cardiac Surgery Team : Our cardiac team provides comprehensive care for complex heart valve conditions and advanced valve repair and replacement procedures.
• Minimally Invasive Treatment Options : Selected patients can benefit from minimally invasive valve surgery designed to reduce surgical trauma and support faster recovery.
• Advanced Cardiac Infrastructure : Modern cardiac operation theatres, imaging systems, cardiac ICUs, monitoring facilities, and rehabilitation services support safe and comprehensive care.
• Multidisciplinary Cardiac Care : Cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, anaesthetists, intensivists, imaging specialists, and rehabilitation teams work together to develop personalised treatment plans.
• Comprehensive Valve Disease Management : We provide evaluation, diagnosis, valve repair or replacement, critical care, rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up under one roof.
• Patient-centred Approach : Our treatment planning focuses on individual valve anatomy, medical condition, lifestyle requirements, and long-term cardiac health.