Treatment for heart valve disease: medications and surgery

Treatment has two approaches: conservative and invasive.

Medications can alleviate the issues or serve to prevent deterioration and complications. However, they do not cure damaged heart valve leaflets.

The following is used during treatment:

• beta-blockers, to reduce blood pressure and reduce heart rate
  • calcium channel blockers
• antihypertensives, ACE inhibitors, vasodilators and other products
• antiarrhythmic medication - antiarrhythmics
• blood thinners, or anticoagulants, to prevent blood clots
• diuretics, relieve swelling
• antibiotics, in case of an infectious cause

Antibiotic treatment as prevention?

Streptococcal diseases of the tonsils have also been reported as being caused by infectious agents. The condition is also known as angina = tonsillitis.

In case of neglect of treatment and non-treatment, it is a possible source of blood spread of bacteria, even to the heart. And in the heart they can cause inflammation of the muscle or inner membrane - the endocardium and valves.

Therefore, even in the case of an infectious respiratory disease with a bacterial agent, timely and effective treatment with antibiotics is important. It must be completed and the medication must be taken as prescribed.

Do not stop treatment immediately after the symptoms subside.

Invasive and surgical treatment

The invasive approach consists of several methods. They are selected on the basis of several criteria as well as the age and general health of the person concerned.

• heart valve repair - removing defective parts and repairing the leaflets
• heart valve replacement, complete removal of a non-functional leaflet and replacement with a prosthesis
  • mechanical valve
    • made from carbon fibers
    • unlimited functionality
    • continuous anticoagulant treatment is required
  • biological valve
    • lasts for 10 - 15 years
    • short duration of anticoagulant use
• balloon dilatation - access through a large vessel, catheter, mini-invasive procedure

The mini-invasive approach is mostly chosen for high-risk patients for whom cardiac surgery is not suitable. Using a catheter entering through a large vessel, the valve is implanted through the groin.

The procedure is shorter and the patient may remain conscious.

The old valve stays in place and a replacement is added. This method allows the patient to recovers faster. However, there is still a risk due to consequences and deterioration.

Cardiac surgery is the majority of procedures. It requires opening the chest, extracorporeal circulation and stopping the heart for the duration of the operation.

This is a classic approach that has been used for many years. The patient is under anesthesia, the procedure takes a long time and also needs time to recover. The sternum heals for about 6 months.

Complications and risks are present in both approaches. Several hours of anesthesia has its risks, e.g. poorer wound healing. The postoperative period requires a health check-up.