Heartfelt Heart Care: Aortic Valve Replacement in Arizona

Aortic valve replacement surgery removes or replaces a diseased or damaged valve with a new one. Your doctor may suggests replacing your aortic valve if you are experiencing aortic valve stenosis or regurgitation. Aortic valve stenosis is a narrowing of the valve which restricts blood flow out of the heart. Aortic valve regurgitation happens when a valve doesn’t close properly, allowing blood to leak from into the heart from the aorta. Replacing the valve helps your heart circulate blood effectively to the body.

Find out why Dignity Health of Arizona is considered a leader in heart and vascular care. Our cardiac team will be with you every step of the way to ensure your experience is as comfortable as possible. To learn more about aortic valve replacement in Arizona, Find a Doctor online or call (844) 852-0648.

Who is Eligible for Aortic Valve Replacement?

In order to determine if you need aortic valve replacement, your cardiologist will likely perform a number of tests. These tests will calculate the how much blood is flowing from the heart into the aorta in order to determine if any aortic narrowing has occurred. They will evaluate the size and shape of your aortic valve. They will also measure the size of your heart muscle — if the heart is compensating for a defective valve it may become enlarged.

Aortic Valve Replacement: What to Expect at Dignity Health

Depending on your specific case, your doctor will suggest one of two surgical options. Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is the most common treatment and is a type of open heart surgery. For SAVR your doctor has full surgical access to your heart via the chest cavity. Your valve is removed and replaced with a mechanical or biological replacement valve. In some cases, a less invasive procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is available. For these surgeries, access to the aortic valve is gained through an incision in the large artery in the groin or chest. A thin flexible wire is maneuvered through the artery to the heart where the doctor inserts a new, man-made valve inside the existing faulty valve.

Recovery After Aortic Valve Replacement

With traditional aortic valve replacement surgery, most patients spend about a week recovering in the hospital. With a less invasive procedure, your doctor may release you earlier, depending on their evaluation of your condition. You will probably receive a pain medication prescription and can also expect restrictions on food and activity after returning home. To help prevent complications, be sure to follow your doctor's orders and report anything unusual as soon as possible.

Try Dignity Health’s free cardiovascular risk educational tool. This tool helps you assess your cardiovascular health and educate you on the many ways Dignity Health can assist you in treatment and prevention.

Dignity Health, a leader in cardiology care, offers aortic valve replacement in Arizona.