Heart valve repair or replacement is a specialized cardiac surgery performed to treat damaged or diseased heart valves that regulate blood flow through the heart chambers. The procedure restores proper valve function, improving blood circulation and relieving symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and chest discomfort. Valve Repair involves correcting the patient’s existing valve, often preferred when the valve structure is mostly intact. Valve Replacement is done when repair isn't possible, using either mechanical (long-lasting but requires lifelong blood thinners) or biological (tissue-based and more natural) prosthetic valves. This surgery is commonly required in conditions such as mitral valve prolapse, aortic stenosis, and valve regurgitation. It helps prevent heart failure and significantly improves quality of life. Depending on the case, it can be performed through open-heart surgery or minimally invasive techniques.
| Type of Surgery | Open-heart or Minimally Invasive |
| Alternatives | Transcatheter valve therapies (TAVR/TAVI in select cases), medical management |
| Risk Factors | Bleeding, infection, valve malfunction, stroke (rare) |
| Ideal For | Patients with severely narrowed or leaking heart valves |
| Common Symptoms Treated | Shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in legs, irregular heartbeat |
| Success Rate | 94–98% |
| Valve Types Used | Mechanical valves, biological (tissue) valves |
| Anesthesia | General anesthesia |
| Recovery Time | 6 to 10 weeks |
| Hospital Stay | 5 to 7 days |
| Duration | 2 to 5 hours (approx.) |
| Target Conditions | Valve stenosis, valve regurgitation, congenital valve defects |