About this topic
The heart is a muscle that pumps blood through the body. The blood is pumped through the heart and body in one direction. Blood with oxygen moves away from the heart. Blood without oxygen moves toward the heart. The heart has 4 chambers which are separated by valves. The valves make sure that blood flows in the right direction. The aortic valve helps control the flow of blood away from the heart. ‚
Sometimes you were born with a heart valve that did not work the right way. Other times your heart valve has become damaged as you have gotten older. The blood may: ‚
- Flow backward through the damaged valve. This is aortic regurgitation.
- Have problems moving through narrow valve. This is aortic stenosis.
If you have valve problems, you may have chest pain or dizziness and problems breathing. You may notice these signs more when you are doing heavy exercise. ‚
You may need to have heart surgery to replace your damaged aortic valve with a new valve. This is an aortic valve replacement. There are different ways to do this surgery and different kinds of valves are used. Your doctor will decide the best plan of care for you. ‚
Your doctor may suggest a transcatheter repair if you are not able to have one of the other kinds of surgery because you are very sick, older, or have other problems with your heart. A catheter is put in through your upper leg. The catheter is moved into the valve to stretch it open. A new valve is placed in the space and begins to work to improve blood flow. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Rest when you are feeling tired.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask the doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages. Wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- When you may take a bath or shower.
- If you need to be careful lifting things over 10 pounds.
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving.
What follow-up care is needed?
- The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. The doctor will want to see you within 1 to 2 weeks.
- Your condition needs monitored. You may need to have more tests. Some people get an Echo at 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure. Then, they get Echos each year.
- You may also have to see a doctor who specializes in the heart. This is a cardiologist. You may also need to see a rehab specialist to help you get stronger and more active.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
- Prevent blood clots
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to the doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- The catheter may cut into a blood vessel
- Fluid around the heart
- Infection
- Blood clots
- New heart valve may fail
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke, or a cut that wont stop bleeding. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
- Any cut or wound won't stop bleeding, even when pressure is applied. This bleeding can happen while you are taking blood thinners.
Call your doctor if: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge from the cute site; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- You have trouble breathing, a fast heartbeat, or seem confused
- Your leg or foot is painful, swollen, cool, or looks a different color
- You feel dizzy, faint, or very tired
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Talk to your dentist about the aortic valve repair. You may need to take drugs to prevent infection before going to the dentist. This is often only needed during the first 6 months after surgery.
- Keep away from other people who are sick. This will help prevent problems in your health.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if my cut site starts to bleed.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack or stroke.
Where can I learn more?
American Heart Association ‚
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/HeartValveProblemsandDisease/What-is-TAVR_UCM_450827_Article.jsp ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hvd/treatment.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚