Aortic Valve Disease

What is Aortic Valve Disease?

The aortic valve is controlling the flow of blood from the left ventricle into the aorta and if it does not work as it should, some diseases may occur such as aortic valve stenosis and aortic valve regurgitation.

Aortic valve stenosis is narrowing of the aortic valve with the simplest definition. In this condition, the blood can not flow properly from the heart to the aortic valve.

Aortic valve regurgitation is one of the common heart valve diseases. In this condition depending on various pathologies, the aortic valve is not fully closed and as a result of this, the blood pumped into the aorta is leaking to the left ventricle.

What are the Symptoms of Aortic Valve Disease? 

There are many signs of aortic valve disease and the most common signs are:

• Shortness of breath

• Quicker heartbeat

• Swollen feet

• Chest Pain

How is Aortic Valve Disease Diagnosed?

There are many diagnostic tests such as Transthoracic echocardiogram, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Chest X-ray, Cardiac catheterization, MRI and CT.

What are the Treatment Options for Aortic Valve Disease? 

If you have mild disease, follow-up and medication treatment could be an option. If you have severe disease you may require surgical treatment. Also, minimally invasive procedures can be another treatment option. You should consult with your doctor to determine which treatment is appropriate for you.

Aortic valve balloon valvuloplasty: Valvuloplasty is a minimally invasive procedure and usually it is performed to treat mitral aortic valve stenosis. But not every patient with aortic valve stenosis can be a candidate for this procedure. You need to talk to your doctor to learn if you can be a candidate for this treatment.

Aortic valve repair: Aortic valve repair is a surgical treatment which is usually performed to treat aortic valve regurgitation. However, to decide the best treatment option for you, your condition should be evaluated by your doctor.

Aortic valve replacement: Aortic valve replacement is a surgical treatment which is performed to treat aortic valve stenosis and aortic valve regurgitation. Surgeons will remove the natural mitral valve and replace a mechanical valve or biological valve in this surgery.

After the surgery, you require to stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for 1 or 2 days and you will 

require to stay approximately 3 - 5 days in the ward. After you will be discharged from the hospital your doctor may have some recommendations for your daily life activities and eating habits.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): This minimally invasive surgical procedure is performed in patients who suffered from aortic valve stenosis. The procedure is advised for high-risk patients for an open heart procedure.