Do you often feel tired and short of breath? Perhaps you feel a strange tightness or tightness in your chest when you walk a short distance or climb stairs? This could be due to a problem with a small opening in your heart, called a valve. It can be distressing to know that there is a problem with your heart. But the good news is that valve repair or replacement surgeries can make your life much easier and give you the strength to do the things you love.
What is the Tricuspid Valve?
Simply put, our heart is like a house with four chambers. There are doors between these chambers for blood to flow back and forth. These doors are what we call valves in medicine. The tricuspid valve is the door between the upper chamber (right atrium) and the lower chamber (right ventricle) on the right side of the heart. It has three flaps (leaflets). Its main job is to allow blood to flow in only one direction, that is, from the top to the bottom, and completely stop it from flowing back up.
What types of conditions require this surgery?
Tricuspid valve repair or replacement is necessary in two main medical conditions.
| Medical condition | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Tricuspid Regurgitation | The valve does not close properly, so blood leaks back into the upper chamber. |
| Tricuspid Stenosis | The valve flaps are thickened and stuck, making it difficult for blood to move forward, that is, to the lower chamber. |
When this happens, your heart has to work harder than usual to pump the amount of blood your body needs. This is the main reason why you experience symptoms like constant fatigue, shortness of breath, and swollen legs. If this condition continues, it can eventually lead to heart failure.
Is it better to repair the valve or replace it?
Often, doctors' first choice is to repair your own valve and preserve your own tissue. However, if the damage to the valve and surrounding tissue is severe , a new valve may need to be replaced.
Your surgeon and cardiologist will decide what is best for you after carefully examining your condition.
There are two main types of new valves.
| Valve type | What was it made of? | Special points |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Valve | From animal tissue (e.g., from a pig, a cow) or from a deceased human donor. | It usually lasts 10-20 years. In most cases, you will not need to take blood thinners for the rest of your life. |
| Mechanical Valve | From synthetic materials (such as metal, carbon). | It lasts a lifetime. However, due to the risk of blood clots , you will have to take anticoagulants for the rest of your life. |
How do you prepare before surgery?
Before a surgery like this, your medical team will prepare you thoroughly.
- Talk to your doctor carefully about the surgery and its risks, and ask any questions you have.
- Get the necessary tests done to see if you are a good candidate for surgery. This may include blood tests , an ECG (electrocardiogram) , an echocardiogram (a scan of the heart), and a chest X-ray .
- Sign the consent form for the surgery.
- It is very important to plan in advance for someone to take care of you and the necessary medications when you return home after surgery.
How is the surgery performed? (Open-Heart Surgery)
Most often, this surgery is performed as open-heart surgery.
1. First, you will be completely anesthetized (put to sleep).
2. The surgeon then makes an incision in the middle or side of the chest to reach the heart.
3. Medicine is given to temporarily stop the heart's function. Don't worry, your body is being supplied with blood by a special machine (heart-lung bypass machine) at this time.
4. The surgeon then repairs or replaces the valve.
Is it possible to do this surgery without cutting the chest?
Yes, with today's advanced technology, in some cases this surgery can be performed without a large incision, through small incisions. We call this 'Minimally Invasive' methods.
- Right Thoracotomy: A small incision is made on the right side of the chest, between two ribs.
- Robot-assisted surgery: A surgery performed by the surgeon himself through several small incisions using robotic technology.
- Transcatheter method: In this method, a tube (catheter) is inserted into the heart through a blood vessel in the groin, often without any incisions, to repair the valve or replace it with a new one. The recovery time after this method is very short.
What are the benefits and possible risks of the surgery?
Like any surgery, this one has benefits as well as some risks.
| Benefits | Risks |
|---|---|
| Symptoms (fatigue, shortness of breath, leg swelling) disappear. | Bleeding |
| Being able to live a healthy life while doing daily chores. | Blood clots |
| Increased lifespan. | Heartbeat irregularities (Arrhythmia) |
| Preventing further weakening of the heart. | Infection |
| Stroke, kidney failure. |
Although these risks exist, medical teams do their best to minimize them. When weighed against the benefits of the surgery, these risks are often worth taking.
What time should I call the doctor?
When you get home after surgery, you need to take great care of your body. It's important to know if there are any problems as soon as possible.
| Symptoms to watch out for | |
|---|---|
| Tell your doctor if you have these symptoms after surgery. | |
| |
| These may be signs of an infection: | |
| |
| These are emergencies! Go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately! | |
|
Take-Home Message
- Tricuspid valve disease puts extra strain on the heart, and surgery can correct this and make life easier.
- In most cases, repairing your own valve is the best option. If that's not possible, a replacement valve is the best option.
- If a mechanical valve is inserted, you will have to take anticoagulants for the rest of your life to prevent blood clots.
- Now, these surgeries can be performed without cutting the chest, through small incisions, or using a catheter. Ask your doctor about that.
- Be sure to inform your doctor about any unusual symptoms that occur after surgery. In case of an emergency, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
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