Centre for Valvular Diseases at Yashoda Hospital

The Centre for Valvular Diseases at Yashoda Hospital is a highly specialized department that is entirely dedicated to the diagnosis and prognosis of various problems related to the heart valves. With state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities, the center has grown to become the ultimate choice of a majority of patients suffering from various types of valvular disease.

Our hospital staffs consists of experienced, competent and well-acclaimed doctors and surgeons who hold expertise and specialization in performing minimally invasive Valve Repair Surgery with very positive results. The other option includes Valve Replacement. For patients suffering from Atrial Fibrillation, we offer a Maze procedure that is performed along with Valve Surgery to give maximum benefit.

What Is A Valvular Disease?

Valvular disease is referred to a group of medical conditions that specifically affect our valves. The human heart has four valves, Mitral Valve, Pulmonary valve, Aortic valve, and tricuspid valve, all of which function to ensure the normal supply of blood to various organs of our body. The valves are susceptible and extremely important for the wellbeing of our heart. Valvular diseases can be congenital, hereditary, or acquired due to unhealthy lifestyle practices. If left untreated, these can lead to life-threatening consequences. While age is a crucial risk factor, plaque formation might also be responsible for it.

What Are The Various Indicators Of Valvular Disease?

The various Indicators of valvular diseases include the following

• Chest pain or palpitations
• Difficulty in breathing
• Swelling in the limbs and ankles
• Breathlessness
• Unconsciousness
• General body weakness and fatigue
• Shortness of breath on exertion
• The feeling of faintness or dizziness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Rapid weight gain

What Are The Conditions We Treat At The Centre For Valvular Disease?

Some of the extreme conditions we treat under our center for Valvular Disease include

• Valvular Stenosis: The condition where a heart valve doesn't fully open (narrowed opening) due to stiff or fused leaflets. This leads to serious heart complications, such as heart failure. All four valves in the heart can develop Stenosis; the conditions are called
  • Tricuspid Stenosis
  • Pulmonic Stenosis
  • Mitral Stenosis
  • Aortic Stenosis
• Valvular Insufficiency: The condition is also termed as regurgitation, incompetence, or "leaky valve." It occurs when the valve of the heart does not close tightly. Depending upon which type of valve is affected the conditions are called
  • Tricuspid regurgitation
  • Pulmonary regurgitation
  • Mitral regurgitation
  • Aortic regurgitation

Are You A Candidate For Valvular Disease?

According to the doctors, Heart valve disease can develop before birth (congenital), or one can acquire them sometime during his/her lifetime, and at times, the causes can be known. However, a person has to undergo treatment if he is suffering from:

• Congenital Valve Disease
• Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease
• Acquired Valve Disease
  • Rheumatic Fever
  • Endocarditis
• Mitral Valve Prolapse
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Heart Attack
• Cardiomyopathy (Heart Muscle Disease)
• Syphilis (A Sexually Transmitted Disease)
• High Blood Pressure
• Aortic Aneurysms
• Connective Tissue Diseases

Less common causes of valve disease include

• Tumours
• Some types of drugs
• Radiation

What Are The Various Diagnosis Tests Required For Valvular Disease?

The doctors may conduct several tests like:

• ECG
• Echocardiogram
• Cardiac MRI
• Cardiac Catheterisation
• CT Scan
• Chest X-ray
• Exercise test

According to the diagnostic test results, the doctor will identify whether a patient needs to undergo surgery or not.

What Is The Treatment Procedure For Valvular Disease?

The treatment options vary depending upon the valve, the medical condition, and its adversity, as well as the age of the patient. Oral medication can prove to be helpful in some instances; these include:

• A course of antibiotics
• Long-term antibiotic therapy
• Antithrombotic (clot-preventing) medications such as
  • Aspirin
  • Ticlopidine
• More potent anticoagulants such as warfarin

However, in the case of chronic valvular damage, valve repair, or valve replacement surgery may be required. This surgery can be carried out using t different approaches,

• The Traditional Open Heart Surgery
• New Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Minimally-Invasive Atrial Septal Defect Closure
  • Minimally-Invasive Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement
  • Minimally-Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement
• Percutaneous Balloon Valvuloplasty
• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) (a newer surgical option)

What Are The Precautions One Must Take To Prevent Valvular Disease?

• Cut down on the consumption of oil, salt, and fats as these accumulate on the walls of the valves to form plaque.
• Eat green veggies and fruits.
• Avoid aerated drinks
• Avoid alcohol consumption and smoke
• Substance abuse is strictly prohibited
• Keep your weight under check
• Exercising is also very important
• Try to maintain a healthy and happy atmosphere in the workplace and at home
• Avoid unnecessary stress
• Visit a specialist for regular checkups especially if you have a family history of valvular diseases

Are There Any Complications Involved?

Yashoda Hospital has a high success rate in performing treatment for Valvular Disease, but sometimes risks cannot be averted and depend on the condition of a patient. Possible complications after the procedure include:

Very Common Complications

• Damage to your blood vessels
• Bleeding
• Blood Clot
• Collection of fluid around your heart
• Decreased blood supply to your brain

Rare Complications

• Heart attack
• Kidney failure
• Lung puncture
• Failure of your replacement valve
• Severe heart failure
• Death (in rare cases)

A patient must seek the immediate help of the doctor if the complications do not improve.