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Question:
How is a leaking valve treated when it has previously been replaced?
My friend's husband (age 50) had an aortic mechanical valve replacement in Sept. Tests have shown that the valve is leaking at a moderate level. Question: I assume monitoring will happen, however, if the leak gets worse or stays at moderate, how is this situation fixed? i.e. would it be possible he needed to have another mechanical valve operation via open heart surgery? Thanks so much for this website, it is so informative.
submitted by Catherine from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on 11/17/09
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Christopher M. Frank, MD
Leaks of prosthetic valves are not uncommon, and they often can simply be followed (typically with echocardiography) over time without problems. Leaks in the aortic valve position are particularly well tolerated, and if the patient does not have symptoms or evidence of damage to the heart, it may never become a problem. If the patient does develop symptoms, progressive worsening of heart function, or progressively worse leakage, a second surgery is sometimes necessary to correct the problem.
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Updated November 2009
