Cardiac Rehab

Heart Valve Replacement/Repair
Heart valves are gates that open and close to direct blood flow as it is pumped between the upper and lower heart chambers. When heart valve disease occurs, the valve may not open all the way, also called stenosis. When this occurs, less blood is circulated with each heartbeat. Valvular disease can also involve problems when the valve doesn't close completely, allowing blood to leak in a backward direction. With either of these abnormalities, the heart must work harder to circulate blood and oxygen to the body tissues.

During valve repair surgery, stenosis can be repaired by cutting or separating parts of the valve to allow more blood to flow through. Valvular insufficiency can be repaired by strengthening or shortening parts of the valve during surgery. If the valve cannot be repaired, it can be replaced with a tissue valve taken from a cow, a pig, or another human or with mechanical, manmade materials.