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October 14, 2015 |

Aortic Valve Replacement

Learn more about the different surgical options for aortic valve replacement, as well as other treatment options for Aortic Stenosis

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While there is no cure for Aortic Stenosis, there are options available to treat the condition. Treatment plans and options depend on the symptoms and the severity of the Aortic Stenosis. You may not need treatment if the symptoms are mild or not present, and instead would monitor your heart closely with your doctor. 

Medications do not treat Aortic Stenosis directly, but are used to manage the symptoms of the condition. These medications will do things like help reduce fluid accumulation due to heart failure, slow your heart rate or control heart rate disturbances. 

However, many patients will eventually require a surgical procedure and potentially aortic valve replacement. One surgical option is Balloon Valvuloplasty. This is where the doctor inserts a thin tube into an artery and guides it into the aortic valve. The tube then blows up like a balloon and stretches the valve open, causing blood flow to improve.

Another option is Aortic Valve Replacement. This is when a surgeon will remove the narrowed aortic valve, and replace it with a mechanical valve, or a valve made of natural tissues. This procedure is typically completed during an open heart surgery.

 A third option is Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (or TAVR). TAVR is a less invasive surgical option to treat Aortic Stenosis. Instead of open heart surgery the new valve is attached to a catheder and inserted into an artery in the leg. The catheder is then pushed through the artery to the heart, where the new heart valve is placed in the heart. 

Surgery is an effective way to treat Aortic Stenosis, but like all procedures your doctor will need to monitor your recovery closely. Overall recovery time will also depend on the specific procedure conducted. 

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