Heart Valve Repairs and Replacements

Heart valve disease is a serious condition. Depending on which of your valves is affected and how severe the disease is, your doctor may recommend surgery. Damage may occur to the heart valves because of:

• Degeneration
• Advanced age
• Infection
• Rheumatic heart disease
• Birth (congenital) defects
• Connective tissue disorders, like Marfan's or Loewy's-Dietz

Learn more about:

• Heart valve disease
• Why other patients have chosen us for heart valve surgery

Heart valve surgery

Depending on your condition, there are several surgical options for valve diseases. The three types of valve surgeries include:

1. Heart valve repair. Heart valve repair is a complex surgery and requires the experience and expertise of world-class heart surgeons. At MedStar Heart Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, you can expect that kind of care, as your heart surgeons will perform valve repair surgery using cutting-edge techniques, including leaflet repair, annular shaping and chordal replacement.
     
   Our surgeons perform the area's largest percentage of repaired valves. This reduces future complications and the need for medications such as blood thinners.
     
   Our state-of-the-art cardiac imaging allows for a more accurate diagnosis and repair of diseased or damaged valves. Further, a cardiac ultrasound physician is involved in all complex valve cases and helps to guide the procedure, leading to a greater number of successful outcomes.
     
2. Valve replacement. When your heart surgeon recommends a replacement of the heart valve, there are usually two options to choose from:
   a.  Tissue (pig or cow) valves
   b.  Mechanical valves
     
   Your cardiac surgeon will make a determination which kind to use, based on your individual circumstances.
      
3. Valve sparing. Valve sparing is a relatively new technique used to treat aortic disease. Your heart surgeon can preserve your own valve while repairing the aorta. Learn more about aortic valve disease.

The MedStar Heart Institute is the only place to go for heart surgery. Schedule an appointment or second opinion with one of our top surgeons or call 202-877-DOCS. Or order a free information kit about our cardiac surgery program.