What is cardiac aortic surgery?

The aorta is one of the four valves of the heart. This valve controls the blood flow in the heart. The aortic valve is located between the left ventricle of the heart and the aorta. The aorta is the largest artery in the body. Blood moves from the heart to the abdomen and the lower part of the body through this artery. The aortic valve prevents blood from returning to the heart.

When the aortic valve is damaged or diseased, it interferes with blood flow. In this condition, the heart has to work harder to supply blood to the organs. For this reason, the doctor recommends heart aorta surgery to reduce the symptoms of the aortic valve problem, treat the disease and increase the patient's life. Heart aortic surgery through heart surgery is done But in some situations, the doctor did not find this method suitable for the patient and closed heart surgery is performed.

Heart aorta sometimes heals with heart valve repair. But sometimes it is necessary to replace the valve. Defects in the aortic valve may be present at birth or develop later in life.

How is heart aorta surgery performed?

Aortic heart surgery may be performed as open heart surgery or closed heart surgery. If the surgery is minimally invasive, the length of stay in the hospital will be reduced. The choice of surgical method depends on the condition of the patient and the severity of the problem. For example, people with lung or kidney disease cannot perform open heart surgery.

Aortic valve problems are usually solved by repairing the valve. But sometimes it is necessary to replace the entire valve. We explain each of the surgical methods in detail below.

Aortic valve repair surgery

In most cases, open heart surgery is performed to repair the aortic valve. In this method, after anesthesia, the chest bone is opened from the middle. This type of incision is called sternotomy. To perform open heart surgery, the heart stops beating. For this reason, a cardiopulmonary bypass device should be used during surgery. This device works instead of the heart and delivers blood to different organs of the body. Sometimes the doctor may choose a less invasive method.

Aortic valve repair is performed with different techniques. In fact, the type of valve problem determines the type of technique. The doctor will probably perform one of the following methods to repair the valve.

• Filling holes or closing torn aortic valve flaps
• Add support to the base or root of the valve
• Reshaping or removing some tissue to seal the valve tightly
• Tightening the ring around the valve or implanting an artificial ring (annuloplasty)

Aortic valve replacement surgery

Sometimes none of the aortic valve repair methods work. In this situation, the surgeon must replace the aortic valve. The surgeon may perform this surgery in the form of open heart surgery or minimally invasive surgery. In this procedure, the aortic valve is removed and replaced with a mechanical valve or biological tissue valve. In biological tissue, they use cow or human heart tissue. In some operations, the patient's own pulmonary valve may be used for replacement.

Each of these valves has advantages and disadvantages. You should talk to your doctor about this. If a mechanical valve is replaced, you will need to take blood thinners to prevent blood clots for the rest of your life. Biological valves deteriorate over time and need to be replaced.

Important points before cardiac aorta surgery

You will have a consultation with a cardiologist before the aortic heart surgery. In this meeting, the doctor talks about the procedure, possible complications and care tips. Ask the doctor all your questions in this session. Before the operation, you should pay attention to the following points.

• Tell your doctor if you are taking any medication. Some medications should be stopped a few days before the operation.
• The doctor may prescribe medicines before and after the operation. Consume them regularly.
• You should not eat or drink anything 8 hours before the operation.
• If you are allergic to a medicine, be sure to tell your doctor.
• Provide the surgeon with your medical records.
• You may need to shave the chest hair before the operation.

Care after cardiac aorta surgery

After heart aortic surgery, you should stay in the intensive care unit for a day or more. If you've had open heart surgery, your ICU stay will be longer. Fluids and drugs are administered intravenously. A tube must be placed in the bladder to drain urine. Secretions and blood should also be removed from the chest with a tube.

You will need to be monitored in the hospital for a few days after leaving the intensive care unit. The length of stay in the hospital depends on your general condition and the side effects of the operation. During this time, blood pressure, breathing and heart rate are checked. The nurse should check for signs of infection at the incision site.

You should gradually start walking and increase its time every day. Breathing exercises will help you recover faster. It is better to avoid driving and lifting heavy objects for a few weeks.

Regular examinations are usually required after cardiac aorta surgery. Cardiac status and symptoms related to valvular insufficiency should be checked. Your doctor will want you to change your lifestyle for long-term results. A healthy diet, smoking cessation, stress management, exercise and weight control will help improve your health.