Heart Valve Replacement Surgery Cost in India

When the patient is experiencing major heart symptoms, such as -  

• Shortness of breath,
• Shest pain (angina),
• Temporary loss of consciousness (syncope) or
• Heart failure
• When infection called endocarditis has damaged the heart valves.

All these symptoms indicate that valve is not opening properly and hence obstructing flow of blood or the valve is not closing properly and hence causing leakage.

If the patient has already undergone valve repair surgery in the past and the valves are still not functioning properly, then valve replacement surgery is recommended.

• Complete medical history of the patient along with the necessary diagnostic and blood tests is submitted to the doctor.
• If the patient is pregnant, then the doctor should be immediately informed.
• In case the patient is allergic to any medicine, anesthetic agents (general and local), etc. the doctor should be notified.
• If the patient is put on any medication that may affect blood clotting, then the doctor may ask him alter medication.
• If the patient is a smoker, then he should immediately quit smoking prior the surgery.

Heart Valve Replacement is performed by an experienced cardiac surgeon. The patient is given general anesthesia.

• An intravenous (IV) line is inserted in the patient’s arm along with additional catheters in the wrist and neck to assess the blood pressure and heart condition
• An incision is made and breastbone (sternum) is divided into two halves to expose the heart.
• The tubes are inserted into the patient’s heart so that the blood can be circulated in the body by a machine called Cardiopulmonary Bypass.
• After diverting blood into the machine, the heart will be injected with a cold solution and valve is replaced.
• There are 2 types of artificial valves - Mechanical valves made from carbon, plastics, ceramics and metal. And, Biological valve made from human or animal tissue.
• After the surgery, the heart will be made to restart with the help of electrical shock paddles.

The patient will be required to stay in the hospital for 5-7 days. Recovery may take a few weeks or longer depending upon the patient’s health.

Success rate of this surgery is relatively high. However, risks include

• Risk of infection,
• Excessive bleeding and
• Blood clot around the valves may rarely occur
• Fever and chest pain 
• Abnormal heartbeats
• Stroke