Aortic valve problems

Aortic valve Regurgitation (leaking):

The Aortic valve sits between the heart’s left Ventricle and the Aorta (The artery which receives the blood from the left ventricle and carries it around the body).

Aortic regurgitation is a condition where the valve does not close properly and therefore the blood can often leak backwards. This means the left ventricle has an increased work load as it is continually having to re-pump that extra blood back out again. Over time this can lead to the Ventricle increasing in size.

This condition is normally caused by a congenital defect or as a result of an infection, such as Rheumatic fever. It is often asymptomatic for many years but as the condition gets worse the following symptoms may be noticed:

• Fatigue with activity/exercise.
• Shortness of breath.
• Swollen ankles.
• Abnormal heart beat.
• Chest pain.

Once the condition becomes severe, surgery is usually required to repair or replace the Aortic valve.

Aortic Valve Stenosis (narrowing):

The Aortic valve sits between the heart’s left Ventricle and the Aorta (The artery which receives the blood from the left ventricle and carries it around the body).

Aortic Valve stenosis is a narrowing of the Aortic valve preventing it from fully opening. This obstructs the blood flow form your heart into your Aorta which in turn affects the flow of blood around your body.

The heart must work harder in order to pump the blood through the narrowed valve and therefore the heart muscle increases in size. The narrowing also means that the heart cannot pump enough blood around the body especially during increased activity.

The condition is normally caused by calcification of the valve which happens with age. Other less common causes are childhood Rheumatic fever or congenital defects.

It is often asymptomatic for many years but as the condition gets worse the following symptoms may be noticed:

• Chest pain (angina).
• Feeling faint with exertion.
• Dizziness.
• Fatigue with increased activity.
• Shortness of breath.
• Palpitations.
• Heart murmur.

Once the condition becomes severe, surgery is usually required to repair or replace the Aortic valve:

Aortic Valve repair:

There are 2 main options for treating a damaged heart valve:

1) Repair the valve: The idea behind this is to make your existing valve work better. There are various techniques your surgeon may use:

• Commissurotomy: Used on narrowed valves where the valve may have stuck together. Sometimes a scalpel is used to separate the valve other times a balloon catheter is used during angioplasty. The balloon is inflated opening up the valve.
• Valvuloplasty: This strengthens/tightens the valve by sewing a ring-like device around it.
• Reshaping: The surgeon reshapes the valve in such a way that it can close more tightly.
• Decalcification: Calcium which builds up with age is removed from the valve.
• Repair: Technique to add structural support to the valves so they can close properly.

2) Replace the Valve: The old valve is removed and replaced with one of 2 types of new valve:

• A prosthetic valve (man made): Usually made from metal or plastic and tend to last a long time. Patients who have these fitted will typically be on blood thinning medication for life
• Biological Valves: They are made from animal tissue or from a human donor. They don’t last as long as prosthetic valves, typically 10 years but patients do not normally require blood thinning medication.

‘This information is intended as a guide only and should not be used as a substitute for medical information from your own doctor’