Experiences with

Aortic valve replacement

An aortic valve replacement is a type of open heart surgery used to treat problems with the heart's aortic valve.

The aortic valve controls the flow of blood out from the heart to the rest of the body.

An aortic valve replacement involves removing a faulty or damaged valve and replacing it with a new valve made from synthetic materials or animal tissue.

It's a major operation that isn't suitable for everyone and can take a long time to recover from.

When is it necessary to replace the aortic valve?

The aortic valve may need to be replaced for 2 reasons:

  • the valve has become narrowed (aortic stenosis) – the opening of the valve becomes smaller, obstructing the flow of blood out of the heart
  • the valve is leaky (aortic regurgitation) – the valve allows blood to flow back through into the heart

The problems can get worse over time and in severe cases can lead to life-threatening problems such as heart failure if left untreated.

There are no medicines to treat aortic valve problems, so replacing the valve will be recommended if you're at risk of serious complications but are otherwise well enough to have surgery. 

Find out more about why aortic valve replacements are carried out

How is an aortic valve replacement carried out?

An aortic valve replacement is carried out under general anaesthetic.

This means you'll be asleep during the operation and won't feel any pain while it's carried out.

During the procedure:

  • a large cut (incision) about 25cm long is made in your chest to access your heart – although sometimes a smaller cut may be made
  • your heart is stopped and a heart-lung (bypass) machine is used to take over the job of your heart during the operation
  • the damaged or faulty valve is removed and replaced with the new one
  • your heart is restarted and the opening in your chest is closed

The operation usually takes a few hours. You'll have a discussion with your doctor or surgeon before the procedure to decide whether a synthetic or animal tissue replacement valve is most suitable for you.

Find out what happens during an aortic valve replacement

Recovering from an aortic valve replacement

You'll usually need to stay in hospital for about a week after an aortic valve replacement, although it may be 2 to 3 months before you fully recover.

You should take things easy when you first get home, but you can start to gradually return to your normal activities over the next few weeks.

You'll be given specific advice about any side effects you can expect while you recover and any activities you should avoid.

You won't usually be able to drive for around 4 to 6 weeks and you'll probably need 6 to 12 weeks off work, depending on your job.

Read more about recovering from an aortic valve replacement.

Risks of an aortic valve replacement

An aortic valve replacement is a big operation and, like any type of surgery, carries a risk of complications.

Some of the main risks of an aortic valve replacement include:

The risk of dying from an aortic valve replacement is around 1 to 3%, although this risk is much smaller than that of leaving severe aortic valve problems untreated.

Most people who survive surgery have a life expectancy close to normal.

Read more about the risks of aortic valve replacement.

Alternatives to an aortic valve replacement

An aortic valve replacement is the most effective treatment for aortic valve conditions. 

Alternative procedures are usually only used if open heart surgery is too risky.

Possible alternatives include:

  • transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) – the replacement valve is guided into place through the blood vessels, rather than through a large incision in the chest
  • aortic valve balloon valvuloplasty – the valve is widened using a balloon
  • sutureless aortic valve replacement – the valve is not secured using stitches (sutures) to minimise the time spent on a heart-lung machine

Read more about the alternatives to an aortic valve replacement.

5,522 public posts

Hi hubby got Aorta Valve Replacement 4 weeks ago doing well. However, I have noticed change in personality, not nice, is this normal?

Aortic valve replacement
Sconie
Sconiein British Heart Foundation

Aortic valve replacement

Hi there I have been reading all the AVR posts and thought I would share mine. Like a lot of forum members I was completely unaware of my condition until a GP remarked to me that "do you know you have a heart murmur". This was in 2016 when I was diagnosed as having "moderate/severe" aortic stenosis.
aussie63
aussie63in British Heart Foundation

Aortic Valve Replacement - into the forth week.

Hi all, Now in to my forth week after my valve replacement and I am really starting to see an improvement. I am not saying the first three weeks there wasn't any, just that I fell better most of the time rather than just 'occasionally'. I was informed that healing, in this sort of Op, is not a linear
road2ruin
road2ruinin British Heart Foundation
Want to take advantage of all our features? Just log in!
or

Introduction

1982 Aortic heart valve replacement - still going strong. 2011 Nov Cardiac arrest, 4 weeks in ICU, my Big Sleep! 2012 Jan ICD implanted - no episodes 2019 ICD replaced Hobbies:- Cycling, walking, reading and holidays in our motorhome.
Yorkshirehead
Yorkshireheadin British Heart Foundation

Dental Health pre Op

I see it’s in my notes from the cardiologist, re me having Aortic & Mitral valve replacement when they decide to do it. Thanks
Dickydon
Dickydonin British Heart Foundation

Tender chest following surgery

Three weeks on from heart surgery (aortic valve replacement) my chest is still very tender and ‘itchy’. Can anyone explain why this should be?
Spare
Sparein British Heart Foundation

Aortic Valve Replacement : The Homecoming!

My AVR: Back Home! So, after a fairly momentous few days and weeks of planning, preparation, uncertainty, fear and elation. We arrive back home. All is surprisingly normal in truth. Nice to have lots of Get Well cards to open and to have a “welcome home” message on the light box!! How good does it
Robinangel
Robinangelin British Heart Foundation

Immune system

Hi I had aortic valve replacement surgery in February 2018. I was just wondering if I was considered to have a weak immune system now or is everything back to normal. Thanks 😊
bee862
bee862in British Heart Foundation

Post op

My dear Dad has just had aortic valve replacement and bypass (UK) and is on day 6 post op. Not eating and v weak. Is this usual? Feeling quite powerless and want to help. Any advice or reassurance gratefully received. X
BailsS79
BailsS79in British Heart Foundation

TAVI aortic valve replacement

My husband underwent a successful operation this week at the new Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge. I was amazed when he was allowed home 24 hrs after the op. Although he said it was an ordeal and he is now in some discomfort from the TAVI site in his groin, he is doing well. He had a triple bypass
Maninblack
Maninblackin British Heart Foundation

Just wondering..

I had a severely stenosed bicusbid aortic valve replacement last year. I'm feeling really well but now wonder if my other heart valves are affected by the stenosis.
Astromeria
Astromeriain British Heart Foundation

Aortic valve replacement

Hi again now less than a week to my AVR! I’ve been amazed at how calm I’ve been but yesterday things got very real as I realised this time next week I hope I’m in intensive care 😱 Anyone got any hints or tips that I should be doing in the week leading up to op like diet and exercise? Thanks ❤️❤️
Fletch73
Fletch73in British Heart Foundation

Alone/Single post operation

Hi, as I live on my own with no family or any friends I can ask to pick me up post surgery of my Aortic & Mitral valve replacement, (date not yet set) are there any uniformed plans in place with hospitals for people in my situation: single, alone, I'll probably be in hospital upto 10 days anyway but
Dickydon
Dickydonin British Heart Foundation

Struggling with fitness on Warfarin or due to surgery

Hi I had an Aortic heart valve replacement surgery in July 2018 and have been on Warfarin ever since. I have my INR regularly checked and it's normally within 2-3 which is my target range, apart from one episode where it shot up to 14!!
jonno207
jonno207in British Heart Foundation

Side effects Amiodarone Warfarin Amilofruse

Husband is 2 weeks post op from a mechanical aortic valve replacement. He is struggling with pain in shoulders and cramp in both arms and has great difficulty sleeping.
Frankievalli
Frankievalliin British Heart Foundation

Aortic valve replacement

Hi again, got my AVR date through today and taking the plunge on 19th August. I previously asked you guys to help with my choice of valve biological or mechanical,bearing in mind I’m 45 I’ve been reading a lot and have decided to go for the Medtronic Hancock cinch biological valve. Has anyone else had
Fletch73
Fletch73in British Heart Foundation

Aortic Valve Replacement - The begining

After reading Robinangel's excellent posts' and how much they helped me, I felt I would start my own diary for those who are still on the list and those of use who are the other side and want to compare notes. I was diagnosed with Aortic Valve Stenosis due to a bicuspid valve, quite common apparently
road2ruin
road2ruinin British Heart Foundation

Aortic Stenosis and Valve Replacement

My question is to people who may have had a valve replacement/aortic stenosis. How did you get before your operation? How did you feel/symptoms and how did it affect you? Was it through a regular screening that they decided to operate or was it something else?
bemore0712
bemore0712in British Heart Foundation

Timescale first procedure

Hi everybody, My husband is having an aortic valve replacement but just having the usual tests prior to surgery. He has been put down as urgent.. we are so worried as the length of time from seeing the cardiologist to getting the procedure done seems such a lengthy process.
Jewel7
Jewel7in British Heart Foundation

Aortic Valve Replacement - Onward and Upward

Hi all, particularly those who have been following my write up, I hope its been of some use to you. This will be penultimate post on my surgery and recovery, with the last one being after my six week check (will be 7 1/2 weeks by the time I have it). Week five has been somewhat of a turning point. I
road2ruin
road2ruinin British Heart Foundation
Filter results
Posted in
Sort by