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The aortic valve is a valve that lies between the left ventricle and the aorta. It opens to let blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. If your valve isn't working properly, you may need a surgery to replace it with an artificial (prosthetic) valve.

This is called surgical aortic valve replacement, or SAVR.

You may have this surgery if:

1. You have a narrowed valve (aortic valve stenosis).
2. You have a valve that didn't form correctly.
3. You have a leaking valve.
4. You have heart damage from an infection, such as endocarditis.

What type of valve will I get?

During this surgery, your health care provider will replace your valve with one of these types of prosthetic valves:

1. Biological valves, which are made from animal tissues.
2. Mechanical valves, which are made from artificial materials.
3. Donor valves, which are from human donors. These are only used in special situations.

Tell a health care provider about:

1. Any allergies you have.
2. All medicines you take. These include vitamins, herbs, eye drops, and creams.
3. Any problems you or family members have had with anesthesia.
4. Any bleeding problems you have.
5. Any surgeries you've had.
6. Any other medical problems you have.
7. Whether you're pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Your provider will talk with you about risks. These may include:

1. Infection.
2. Bleeding.
3. Allergic reaction to medicines.
4. Damage to other structures or organs.
5. Blood clots.
6. Failure of the new valve.

Other risks include:

1. Abnormal heart rhythms.
2. Need for a pacemaker.
3. Stroke.
4. Death.

What happens before?

When to stop eating and drinking

• Eat and drink only as you've been told. If you don't, your aortic valve replacement may be delayed or canceled.

Medicines

a. Ask about changing or stopping:

1. Any medicines you take.
2. Any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you take.

b. Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen unless you're told to.

You may be told about lifelong use of blood thinners (anticoagulants). It's important to take these medicines, especially if you have a mechanical valve.

Tests

You may have tests to look at your heart. Tests may include:

1. Blood tests or pee tests.
2. Electrocardiogram (ECG).
3. CT scan or MRI.
4. Echocardiogram or transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE).
5. Cardiac catheterization.

Surgery safety

For your safety, you may:

1. Need to wash your skin with a soap that kills germs.
2. Get antibiotics.
3. Have your surgery site marked.
4. Have hair removed at the surgery site.

General instructions

1. Do not smoke, vape, or use nicotine or tobacco for at least 4 weeks before the surgery.
2. You may be asked to get "valve surgery clearance" from your dentist. This is to make sure that you don't have germs or a collection of pus (abscess) in your mouth. These germs can cause an infection of the new valve.

What happens during a surgery to replace the aortic valve?

a. An IV will be put into a vein in your hand or arm.

b. You may be given:

1. A sedative to help you relax.
2. Anesthesia to keep you from feeling pain.

c. A cut will be made in your chest, over your heart. This is an open heart surgery.

d. You'll be placed on a heart-lung bypass machine. This machine will provide oxygen to your body while your heart is undergoing surgery.

e. Your damaged aortic valve will be removed.

f. A prosthetic valve will be sewn into your heart.

g. Your cut will be closed with stitches, skin glue, or tape.

h. A bandage will be placed over your cut.

These steps may vary. Ask what you can expect.

What happens after?

1. You'll be watched closely until you leave. This includes checking your pain level, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate.
2. You'll have an echocardiogram to check your new valve before you leave the hospital.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.