Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery

Aortic valve replacement is a surgery done for Reference aortic valve stenosis Opens New Window and Reference aortic valve regurgitation Opens New Window. The surgery is either an open-heart surgery or a Reference minimally invasive surgery. In an aortic valve replacement surgery, the damaged valve is removed and replaced with an artificial valve.

View a Reference slideshow on aortic valve replacement surgery Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window.

How is it done?

During open-heart valve surgery, the doctor makes a large incision in the chest. Blood is circulated outside of the body through a machine to add oxygen to it (cardiopulmonary bypass or heart-lung machine). The heart may be cooled to slow or stop the heartbeat so that the heart is protected from damage while surgery is done to replace the valve with an artificial valve.

The artificial valve might be mechanical (made of man-made substances). Others are made out of animal tissue, often from a pig.

© 1995-2011, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.