General information

The four heart valves (aortic, mitral, tricuspid and pulmonary valve consist of three semilunar pocket valvesThe two heart valves. One between the ventricle and the aorta – aortic valve or between the ventricle and the pulmonary artery – pulmonary valve.. It represents the transition of the right ventricleLower chamber of the heart. A healthy heart has two ventricles (right and left). into the pulmonary arteryArtery supplying the lungs. and acts as a check valveValve. to prevent blood from flowing from the pulmonary circulationBlood circulation leading from the right ventricle via the pulmonary artery into the lungs and via the pulmonary veins into the left heart. Gas exchange takes place via this circuit, oxygen is supplied to the blood. into the right side of the heart), perform a valve function and thereby allow the forward flow of blood in the heart. This valve function can be disturbed by the heart valveIn the inflow and outflow area of the heart chambers there are valves that prevent the blood from flowing back in the wrong direction. Each heart half has a leaflet valve and a pocket pocket valve: 1. Tricuspid valve (between right atrium and right ventricle) 2. Pulmonary valve (between right ventricle and pulmonary artery) 3. Mitral valve (between left atrium and left ventricle) 4. Aortic valve (between left ventricle and the aorta)”… becomes narrowed (stenosed) or leaky (regurgitant). The affected valve can now be reconstructed or replaced as part of a heart valveIn the inflow and outflow area of the heart chambers there are valves which prevent the blood from flowing back in the wrong direction. Each heart half has a sail valve and a pocket valve: 1. Tricuspid valve (between the right atrium and right ventricle) 2. Pulmonary valve (between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery) 3. Mitral valve (between the left atrium and left ventricle) 4. Aortic valve (between the left ventricle and the aorta). operation.

In a heart valve reconstructionIn this procedure, the diseased valve is not replaced, but the tightness of the heart valve is restored using special suturing techniques. Most often, this surgical procedure is chosen for leakage of the mitral valveHeart valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. It got its name because of its shape, which has a strong resemblance to a bishop’s mitre. and less often for leakage of the aortic valveHeart valve between the left ventricle and the aorta. It prevents the blood from flowing back into the left ventricle during the relaxation phase.…. the patient’s own valve is preserved. This procedure is mainly used in the case of an existing inability of the heart valve to close (valvular regurgitationInability of the heart valve to close. Inflammation or calcification can cause the leaflets of the heart valves to shrink, or the increase in size of the heart can cause the valve ring to widen. When closed, small gaps remain between the leaflets through which the blood flows back into the chamber….). Valve regurgitationInability of the heart valve to close. Inflammation or calcification can cause the leaflets of the heart valves to shrink, or the increase in size of the heart can cause the valve ring to widen. When closed, small gaps remain between the leaflets through which the blood flows back into the chamber. is caused, for example, by inflammation or calcification, which shrinks the leaflets of the heart valves, or by the increase in size of the heart, which leads to a widening of the valve ring. This leaves small gaps between the leaflets when the valve is closed, allowing blood to flow back into the ventricle. In a heart valve reconstructionHere, the diseased valve is not replaced, but the tightness of the heart valve is restored using special suturing techniques. Most often, this surgical procedure is chosen for leakage of the mitral valve and less frequently for leakage of the aortic valve., the diseased leaking valve is repaired by special suturing techniques or by implanting valve rings. This restores the tightness of the valve. This surgical procedure is usually used for leaks in the mitral valveHeart valve between the left atriumTerm for the uppermost chambers of the heart. There is a left atrium and a right atrium. The right atrium collects the oxygen-poor blood that flows back from the body to the heart; the left atrium collects the oxygen-rich blood that comes from the lungs. From the atria, the blood continues to the respective ventricles. and left ventricle. It got its name because of its shape, which has a strong resemblance to a bishop’s mitre. and more rarely in the case of leakage of the aortic valve Heart valve between the left ventricle and the aortaThe main major artery in the body. Leads from the left ventricle via an arch in the thoracic cavity to the abdominal cavity. There it splits into two large iliac arteries.. It prevents the blood from flowing back into the left ventricle during the slackening phase.

If a heart valve cannot be preserved (reconstructed), a heart valve replacementReplacement of the patient’s own diseased heart valve by means of an artificially produced biological valve of animal (pig or bovine) or human origin (from deceased persons, also called homograft) by a mechanical valve (metal, plastic, carbon fibres)…. is performed. This is often the case when there is a narrowing of the heart valves (stenosisNarrowing of vessels or valves.). A heart valve replacement involves removing the patient’s valve that is not working and replacing it with a new valve.

Mechanical and biological valve

Two different types of valves, mechanical and biological, are available for valve replacement. Mechanical valves have the advantage that they have an unlimited shelf life. The disadvantage of this valve is the fact that blood clots can form more frequently on these artificial surfaces. For this reason, the patient must permanently take blood-thinning medicationAdministration and dosage of a medicine. (Marcumar). Biological valves are usually made from material from pigs or cattle. As these valves have natural surfaces, the risk of clot formation is not increased. Permanent blood thinning is therefore not usually necessary. The disadvantage of these biological valves is their limited durability, because like all biological material, these valves are also subject to an ageing process. This means that after a certain period of time, a valve dysfunctionMalfunction, impaired function. can develop again, which may require a new valve replacement. Your heart surgeon will discuss whether a mechanical or a biological valve is more suitable for you in detail during the consultation before the operation.

In addition to conventional surgical heart valve replacementReplacement of the patient’s own diseased heart valve with an artificially produced biological valve of animal (pig or cow) or human origin (from deceased persons, also called homograft) with a mechanical valve (metal, plastic, carbon fibres)., in selected cases there is the possibility of using interventional, catheter-based procedures to treat heart valve diseases. This procedure is mainly used for highly symptomatic aortic valve stenosisAcquired heart valve defectLeakage (insufficiency) or narrowing (stenosis) of a heart valve.. The aortic valve narrows so much due to inflammation and/or calcification that when blood leaves the (left) ventricle, it can only enter the aorta by overcoming a high resistanceResistance (resistance of bacteria to antibiotics). This narrowing leads to an extra load on the left ventricle…. The procedure is performed as part of a catheter-assisted aortic valve implantation (TAVI).