Medical Encyclopedia

Medical Encyclopedia

Heart valve surgery - series: Indications

 Indications

Heart valve surgery - series
Illustrations:

  • Normal anatomy
  • Indications
  • Procedure, part 1
  • Procedure, part 2
  • Procedure, part 3
  • Aftercare

    • Heart valve replacement may be recommended for:

    Valve problems may be caused by infections (rheumatic fever) or birth defects and may cause heart failure (congestive heart failure) and infections (infective endocarditis).

    The surgery is done while the patient is deep-asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia). An incision is made through the breast bone (sternum).

    Update Date: 5/15/2008

    Updated by: Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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