Heart valve prosthesis

Heart Valve Replacement Surgery

The heart consists of four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. Valves are located between the atria and ventricles, as well as between the ventricles and the blood vessels leaving the heart. There are four heart valves: the aortic valve (between the left ventricle and the aorta), the pulmonary valve (between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery), the mitral valve (between the left atrium and left ventricle), and the tricuspid valve (between the right atrium and right ventricle). These valves maintain the necessary pressure within the heart chambers: when they open, blood flows forward; when they close, they prevent blood from flowing backward. This mechanism ensures one-way blood circulation.

Impaired valve function places additional strain on the heart and disrupts its normal activity. If left untreated, valve disease can progress and pose a significant risk to a person's health and life. Heart valve disorders may be congenital or acquired and can involve either valve leakage (regurgitation) or narrowing (stenosis). In such cases, the affected valve may need to be replaced with either a biological or mechanical prosthetic valve.

About the surgery:

During the procedure, the chest cavity is opened, the heart is temporarily stopped, and the patient is connected to a heart-lung machine (cardiopulmonary bypass). The diseased valve is removed and replaced with a prosthetic valve.

Who is this surgery suitable for?

This procedure is recommended for patients whose heart valve can no longer perform its function properly and whose doctor has advised valve replacement surgery.

Before the surgery:

Our team of specialists will perform the necessary diagnostic tests and assess your overall health condition.

Before the procedure, please follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to help ensure the best possible outcome.

During the surgery:

The operation is performed under general anaesthesia. During the procedure, the chest cavity is opened, the heart is temporarily stopped, and cardiopulmonary bypass is established. The diseased valve is removed and replaced with either a mechanical or biological prosthetic valve. The surgery typically takes approximately 4 to 6 hours.

After the surgery:

For the first 2 to 3 days after surgery, the patient is treated in the intensive care unit. As the patient's condition improves, they are transferred to an inpatient ward for further treatment and initial rehabilitation. The average hospital stay is approximately 7 to 10 days. Before discharge, your doctor will provide instructions regarding further treatment and recovery.

If you would like to register for the surgery, please contact us using the details below:

• Kaunas: ligonine.savanoriu423@meliva.lt;
• Vilnius: ligonine.laisves64@meliva.lt.