Aortic stenosis surgery prognosis


 * Associate Editor-In-Chief: Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D. [mailto:msbeih@perfuse.org]

Surgical Outcome
Most valve surgery operations are successful. In some rare cases, a valve repair may fail and another operation may be needed. The risk of death or serious complications from isolated aortic valve replacement is typically quoted as being between 1-3% of cases, depending on the health and age of the patient, as well as the skill of the surgeon and the health care institute. The patient's past history of heart surgery affects the mortality rate as well. Patient with mechanical valve may hear a quiet clicking sound in his chest. This is just the sound of the new valve opening and closing, and a sign that the new valve is working.

Mechanical Versus Biological Valves

Mechanical heart valves do not fail often. They last from 12 to 20 years. However, blood clots develop on them. If a blood clot forms, the patient may have a stroke. Bleeding can occur, but this is rare. Biological valves tend to fail over time, but they have a lower risk of blood clots. Patients with a biological valve may need to have the valve replaced in 10 to 15 years. Patients with a mechanical valve will need to take a blood-thinning medicine for the rest of their lives.