What Is Heart Valve Surgery and How Is It Performed? Heart valves ensure that blood flows in the correct direction through the heart. Narrowing or leakage of these valves can make the heart work harder and may lead to serious health problems over time. Heart valve surgery is performed to correct these problems and preserve heart function. When Is Heart Valve Surgery Necessary? Surgery may be considered particularly in the following situations: - Valve stenosis: The heart valve does not open sufficiently. - Valve regurgitation: The valve does not close completely, allowing blood to flow backward. - Valve damage: The valve loses its function due to infection or structural abnormalities. Shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations, and chest pain may be symptoms of these conditions. How Is Heart Valve Surgery Performed? Two main surgical approaches may be used depending on the patient's condition. 1. Valve Repair Whenever possible, structural problems are corrected while preserving the patient's own heart valve. 2. Valve Replacement When repair is not suitable, the damaged valve is removed and replaced with a mechanical or biological valve. The operation may be performed through open surgery or, in suitable patients, through smaller incisions. For certain valve diseases, catheter-based procedures such as TAVI may be preferred. What Is the Difference Between Mechanical and Biological Valves? - Mechanical valve: Long-lasting but generally requires lifelong anticoagulant therapy. - Biological valve: In most patients, it does not require anticoagulant therapy for as long as a mechanical valve, but it may deteriorate over time. Valve selection depends on the patient's age, health condition, and treatment needs. Recovery After Surgery After the operation, the patient is monitored in intensive care and subsequently in a regular hospital ward. Recovery time varies depending on the surgical technique. Following open surgery, returning to everyday activities may generally take several weeks. Regular medical checkups, medication, and cardiac rehabilitation when necessary are important. Risks of Heart Valve Surgery As with any heart operation, risks include bleeding, infection, heart rhythm disturbances, blood clot formation, and stroke. The risks vary according to the patient's general health and the procedure performed. Heart Valve Surgery in Türkiye Hospitals providing cardiovascular surgery services in Türkiye offer valve repair, valve replacement, and catheter-based valve treatments for suitable patients. International patients can share their medical reports to request preliminary assessments and treatment quotations from different hospitals. When choosing a hospital, the surgeon's experience, technical facilities, intensive care capabilities, and postoperative follow-up services should be evaluated. Conclusion Heart valve surgery is an important treatment that helps preserve heart function and improve quality of life in patients with serious valve diseases. The appropriate treatment method, an experienced surgical team, and regular follow-up form the foundation of a successful treatment process.