Heart valve replacement is a procedure where the heart valve is replaced by an artificial (prosthetic) valve. The artificial valve is sewn onto the remaining tissue from the natural valve. In some cases, the heart valve may be replaced with a mechanical valve made from metal or a valve made from animal material such as a pig or a cow. Mechanical valves are advantageous because they are life-lasting. However, they require you to take blood thinning drugs for the rest your life, which can increase the risk of bleeding in the body. Replacement valves made from animal tissue do not require that you take blood thinners, but they need to be changed every 10-15 years because they wear out. Your doctor can help you decide which type of valve is right for you.

Heart valve repair or replacement surgery is a treatment option for the treatment of heart valve disease including:

• Mitral valve regurgitation (MR) - a condition in which the mitral valve will not close tightly and allows blood to flow backwards into the heart.
• Valvular stenosis - a condition in which the valve is narrowed because of stiffening that occurs to leaflets in the valve.
• mitral valve prolapse - a condition in which the tissues of the valve stretch out and become leaky.

Your doctor will perform a variety of tests that will help determine whether or not you should undergo surgery for heart valve replacement. Tests include an echocardiogram and sometimes cardiac catheterization. An echocardiogram may show enlargement of the heart, and can help to measure the degree of stenosis or regurgitation. A cardiac catheterization provides similar information, but can also identify any narrowings of the coronary arteries.

In some patients, close monitoring by a doctor is the only treatment needed for heart valve disease. Medications can treat some conditions that may accompany heart valve disease such as high blood pressure that can worsen heart valve disease.

In some patients with valvular stenosis (narrowing of the valve), a procedure called balloon valvotomy is used to increase the opening of a narrowed valve. Your doctor will help you decide if this procedure is right for you.

Prior to any surgery, your doctor will give you a complete medical examination and evaluate your overall health and your health history. You may be required to get additional tests such as X-rays and lab tests. Your doctor will also review with you the potential risks and benefits of the operation and will ask you to sign a consent form. It is important that you ask questions and be sure you understand the reason for the surgery as well as the risks.

It is important that you inform your doctor if you have allergies to any medications, what medications you are taking, and if you have bleeding problems. It is also important to inform your doctor if you are pregnant.

Your doctor will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly.

Depending on the circumstances of your surgery, you may be instructed to do the following:

• Completely empty your colon and cleanse your intestines prior to surgery. You may be requested to drink clear liquids only for one or several days prior to surgery.
• Stop eating or drinking after midnight the night before the operation except medications that your doctor has told you are permissible to take with a sip of water the morning of surgery.
• Plan for your care and recovery after the operation. Find someone to drive you home after the surgery. Allow for time to rest and try to find people to help you with your day-to-day duties.
• Stop smoking at least six to eight weeks prior to surgery as smoking delays wound healing. Smokers are also more likely to have breathing problems during surgery.

After heart valve replacement surgery, you will stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for a day or two. Subsequently, you will be moved to the cardiac floor for close monitoring. You should expect to stay in the hospital for five to seven days. After you are discharged from the hospital your doctor will ask you to return for a follow-up visit within three to four weeks. If you are feeling well at that visit, and the results of your repeat echocardiography are good, your doctor will schedule future visits at three-month or 12-month intervals.

A variety of factors may influence the cost of the surgery. They include:

• Insurance coverage
• Pre-existing health
• Insurance co-pay
• Location of the facility

These factors vary depending on you and your situation.

The cost of each procedure can vary dramatically based upon age, location, gender, and insurance coverage. HealthGrades provides detailed cost estimates which include the costs of the procedure, drugs, hospital stay, and more. Each cost estimate is easy to understand and provides medical terms you need to know.

The detailed cost estimate for Heart Valve Replacement, includes costs for:

• Replacement or revision of diseased heart valves.