AVR stands for Aortic Valve Replacement. It is a surgical procedure that replaces a damaged or diseased aortic valve with a new, artificial valve.
Why is AVR Performed?
AVR is performed to treat aortic valve stenosis, a condition where the aortic valve narrows, restricting blood flow from the heart to the body. This can lead to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. AVR can also be performed for aortic valve regurgitation, a condition where the aortic valve does not close properly, causing blood to leak back into the heart.
Types of Aortic Valve Replacement:
There are two main types of AVR:
- Open-heart surgery: This involves a large incision in the chest and stopping the heart during surgery.
- Minimally invasive surgery: This involves smaller incisions and less disruption to the chest.
The choice of procedure depends on factors like the patient's overall health and the severity of the valve disease.
Benefits of AVR:
- Improved blood flow: The new valve allows blood to flow more freely from the heart to the body.
- Reduced symptoms: Many patients experience a significant improvement in their symptoms after AVR, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
- Improved quality of life: AVR can significantly improve the quality of life for patients with aortic valve disease.
Risks of AVR:
Like any surgery, AVR has potential risks, including:
- Bleeding: Bleeding is a common risk of any surgery.
- Infection: Infection is a risk with any surgical procedure.
- Stroke: There is a small risk of stroke during or after AVR.
- Valve dysfunction: The new valve may not function properly.
Recovery from AVR:
Recovery from AVR typically takes several weeks. Patients will need to stay in the hospital for a few days after surgery and will need to take medication to prevent blood clots.
