Valve Repair

1. What is Valve Repair?
Valve repair is a cardiac procedure that corrects structural or functional abnormalities of a heart valve while preserving the patient's native valve. It may be performed on the mitral, tricuspid, aortic, or, less commonly, pulmonary valve.

2. When is Valve Repair recommended?
Repair may be considered when a valve is leaking (regurgitation), narrowed, or structurally abnormal and is causing significant symptoms, heart enlargement, reduced heart function, or an increased risk of future complications.

3. Which heart valves can be repaired?
The mitral valve has particularly high repair potential in many degenerative conditions. Tricuspid valves can also frequently be repaired. Selected aortic and pulmonary valve abnormalities may be suitable for repair depending on the underlying anatomy.

4. How is valve repair performed?
The technique depends on the affected valve and its abnormality. Surgical repair may involve reshaping or reconstructing valve leaflets, repairing supporting structures, removing excess tissue, or placing an annuloplasty ring to restore the valve's shape and function.

5. Can valve repair be performed using minimally invasive techniques?
Yes. Selected patients may be suitable for minimally invasive or robotic valve repair. Certain valve conditions can also be treated using catheter-based repair techniques, depending on the valve, anatomy, and patient's surgical risk.

6. How long does valve repair surgery take?
Open surgical valve repair commonly takes around 3–5 hours, although complex procedures may require longer. Hospitalization typically includes a period in the cardiac ICU followed by recovery on the cardiac ward.

7. What are the benefits of valve repair?
Successful repair can improve blood flow, reduce symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue, preserve the patient's own valve, and potentially avoid some of the long-term considerations associated with prosthetic valve replacement.

8. What are the risks and complications?
Potential complications include bleeding, infection, abnormal heart rhythms, stroke, blood clots, kidney or lung complications, residual or recurrent valve leakage, and the possibility that replacement may ultimately be required if repair is not feasible or durable.

9. Why consider India for Valve Repair?
India has specialized cardiac centres with experienced cardiothoracic surgeons, interventional cardiologists, advanced cardiac imaging, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, and cardiac intensive-care facilities at comparatively competitive treatment costs.

10. How can Medavelle help?
Medavelle can coordinate medical-record and cardiac imaging review, identify an appropriate heart centre and valve specialist, obtain an indicative treatment plan and quotation, and assist with hospital and travel coordination for international patients.