Heart Valve Repair and Replacement
Each year there are approximately 225,000 valve operations performed worldwide.
Your doctor will help you decide when it is appropriate to treat your valve disease and determine whether or not you need your heart valve repaired or a valve replacement.
Throughout the world, 95% of all valve replacements are performed for mitral or aortic valves.
In most cases aortic valves require replacement; conversely, most mitral valves can usually be repaired.
Today, there are two types of artificial or prosthetic valves used for replacement - mechanical valves or tissue valves. However, some heart valve problems do not require a complete replacement. Rather, the problem can be fixed by repairing the valve. |
