Healthy Heart
Any heart valve that is abnormal is susceptible to infection. This may occur even when the abnormality is mild and is not otherwise causing any trouble. Infection on the valve can be very serious causing a deterioration in the function of the valve and even quite mildly abnormal valves can become seriously leaky if treatment … Read more
The usual length of stay in hospital is about 8-10 days if there are complications. The stay may be longer, but is seldom less. The first four to six weeks after leaving hospital has to be regarded as a time of recovery. There is a wide variation in the rate at which different people get … Read more
Currently the hospital mortality (death within 30 days of operation) for Multiple valve replacement carries much the same risk as single valve single valve replacement is less than 5%. procedures. There is a slightly increased risk if the patient requires coronary artery surgery in addition to the valve procedure. The risk for a valve operation … Read more
Valve replacement as we know it today started in the 1960s and xenograft valves have been in use on a large scale for about 10 years. In general, the man-made valve has proved longer lasting than the biological valve, but to date only a small proportion of the biological valves have failed. Many prefer to … Read more
There are two varieties of valve that can be used to replace the diseased one in the patient: 1. Prosthetic 2. Artificial, man-made valves, sometimes called “plastic” valves, although they have little plastic in them. Biological Valves made from human or specially treated animal tissue. Both types of valve have advantages and disadvantages; both are … Read more
The two valves most often affected are the mitral and aortic valves on either side of the main pumping chamber (left ventricle) on the high pressure side of the heart. The corresponding valves on the low pressure side of the heart concerned with pumping blood to the lungs need attention less frequently. When the mitral … Read more
Treatment may involve the use of drugs or surgery. One type of drug (diuretic) is used to relieve the congestion that develops in the lungs or the fluid that may collect in the legs and abdomen. Another, digoxin, is used to improve the pumping efficiency of the heart. Several other drugs are now available which … Read more
Any of the four heart valves may become diseased, but the most commonly involved are the mitral and aortic valves. Only one valve may be involved, but not infrequently two valves and occasionally three valves may be affected. When a valve is diseased, it may become narrowed (stenosed) or become leaky (incompetent or regurgitant); quite … Read more
The heart consists of four separate chambers. There are two receiving chambers and two pumping chambers. One receiving chamber receives … Read more
Abnormalities of the heart may be either congenital or acquired during life and are very common. In most cases they cause trivial effects on the function of the heart and, provided certain precautions are taken, will not interfere with the person’s life. Occasionally, however, the effects may be more severe so that an undue strain … Read more