Heart Valve Treatment in Turkey - Procedure, Cost, And Clinics

Heart valve surgery, also known as transcatheter aortic valve replacement surgery (TVAR) uses a catheter to open or replace the narrowed valve of the heart to streamline blood flow. Know all about open heart surgery, its needs, and how to opt for heart valve treatment in Turkey from trusted cardiovascular surgeons.

What Is Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery?

Leaky heart valve treatment or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a defective heart valve treatment procedure to replace the aortic valve that is narrowed down and doesn’t open to its fullest upon heartbeat. The aortic valve is the body’s main artery and it’s located in the left chamber of the heart. The narrowing of this artery due to clot formation or atherosclerotic plaque can cause angina (low oxygen supply) to the heart, and increase cardiac workload. Therefore, a stent is inserted in its place to streamline blood flow.

How Is Heart Valve Damage Treatment Given Through Surgery?

Heart valve replacement treatment uses small incisions to perform heart valve repair surgery. The TAVR is a minimally invasive surgery in which the defected aortic valve is replaced with a balloon stent.

There are multiple ways to perform TAVR, which is decided based on the condition of the patient and the risk-benefit ratio:

• The TAVR uses a femoral artery, a blood vessel in the thigh. The surgeon utilizes blood vessels in the chest to direct the tube toward the heart if the femoral artery is damaged or too small. This method is known as transapical access.
• The blood vessels of the stomach are used for TAVR if arteries of the leg are too small or diseased. This is less likely to occur. The doctors usually make holes in both vena cava to feed the tube with a replacement valve. 
• Access to the heart via the vessel located under the clavicle or the collarbone is an option if the patient has been through heart surgery before or is suffering from a disease that makes it difficult to access other regions of the chest.
• The doctor can also use the carotid artery in the neck to supply the heart with the tube, a procedure called trans carotid accessibility.

Types Of Valves Used In Heart Valve Replacement Surgery

There are three types of aortic valves based on the structure:

• Biological Valves

The valves are constructed of animal tissues, usually from cow, pig, or human organ donors. The valves of biological origin are typically protected from rejection and degradation.

• Mechanical Aortic Valve

Mechanical valves are manufactured from durable materials like carbon or titanium. They are crafted to replicate the functions of natural valves. They have long-lasting durability.

• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure that replaces the damaged aortic valve in patients who are at risk of traditional open-heart surgery. TAVR is performed by introducing a collapsible valve into the body via an instrument that is entered into the heart.

Potential Risks Of Cardiac Valve Replacement

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Stroke
• Heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias)
• Valve dysfunction or failure
• Prosthetic valve endocarditis
• Paravalvular leak
• Peri-prosthetic leak
• Valve thrombosis
• Structural valve deterioration
• Hemolysis
• Prosthetic valve obstruction
• Coronary artery obstruction
• Valve embolization

Heart Valve Treatment In Turkey 

The cost of aortic valve replacement can vary based on several factors such as the healthcare facility, the degree of care required of the patient, the number of sessions, the duration of the treatment, medications, and additional services.

Zeoby enables you to reach recognized healthcare facilities for heart valve treatment in Turkey, providing instant medical attention based on your medical condition.