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Before the Procedure

• Your doctor will explain the procedure to you and offer you the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure.
• You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the test. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.
• In addition to a complete medical history, your doctor may perform a complete physical examination to ensure you are in good health before undergoing the procedure. You may undergo blood tests or other diagnostic tests.
• You will be asked to fast for eight hours before the procedure, generally after midnight.
• If you are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, you should notify your doctor.
• Notify your doctor if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medications, iodine, latex, tape, or anesthetic agents (local and general).
• Notify your doctor of all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements that you are taking.
• Notify your doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications, aspirin, or other medications that affect blood clotting. It may be necessary for you to stop some of these medications prior to the procedure.
• Your doctor may request a blood test prior to the procedure to determine how long it takes your blood to clot.
• Notify your doctor if you have a pacemaker.
• If you smoke, you should stop smoking as soon as possible prior to the procedure. This may improve your chances for a successful recovery from surgery and benefit your overall health status.
• Based upon your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation.

During the Procedure

Heart valve repair or replacement surgery requires a stay in a hospital.

Generally, heart valve repair or replacement follows this process:

1. You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure.
2. You will be asked to remove your clothing and will be given a gown to wear.
3. You will be asked to empty your bladder prior to the procedure.
4. An intravenous (IV) line will be started in your arm or hand. Additional catheters will be inserted in your neck and wrist to monitor the status of your heart and blood pressure, as well as for obtaining blood samples. Alternate sites for the additional catheters include the subclavian (under the collarbone) area and the groin.
5. You will be positioned on the operating table, lying on your back.
6. The anesthesiologist will continuously monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level during the surgery. Once you are sedated, a breathing tube will be inserted through your throat into your lungs and you will be connected to a ventilator, which will breathe for you during the surgery.
7. A catheter will be inserted into your bladder to drain urine.
8. The skin over the surgical site will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.
9. The doctor will make an incision (cut) down the center of the chest from just below the Adam's apple to just above the navel.
10. The sternum (breastbone) will be divided in half with a special operating instrument. The physician will separate the two halves of the breastbone and spread them apart to expose the heart.
11. In order to perform the valve repair or replacement, the heart must be stopped to allow the physician to perform the very delicate procedure. Tubes will be inserted into the heart so that the blood can be pumped through your body by a cardiopulmonary bypass machine. Once the blood has been completely diverted into the bypass machine for pumping, the heart will be stopped by injecting it with a cold solution.
12. When the heart has stopped, the doctor will perform the procedure by removing the diseased valve and putting in the artificial valve, in the case of a valve replacement. For a valve repair, the procedure performed will depend on the type of valve problem that exists, like separation of fused valve leaflets, repair of torn leaflets, and/or the reshaping of valve parts to ensure better function.
13. Once the procedure has been completed, the blood circulating through the bypass machine will be let back into your heart and the tubes to the machine removed. Your heart will be shocked with small paddles to restart the heartbeat.
14. Once your heart is beating again, the doctor will observe the heart to assess the function of the heart and the valves.
15. Temporary wires for pacing may be inserted into the heart. These wires can be attached to a pacemaker and your heart can be paced, if needed, during the initial recovery period.
16. The sternum will be rejoined and sewn together with small wires.
17. The skin over the sternum will be sewn back together. The incision will be closed with sutures or surgical staples.
18. Tubes will be inserted into your chest to drain blood and other fluids from around the heart. These tubes will be connected to a suction device to drain fluids away from the heart.
19. A tube will be inserted through your mouth or nose into your stomach to drain stomach fluids.
20. A sterile bandage/dressing will be applied.

After the Procedure

In the Hospital

After the surgery you may be taken to the recovery room before being taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) to be closely monitored for several days. Alternatively, you may be taken directly to the ICU from the operating room.

You will be connected to monitors that will constantly display your electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) tracing, blood pressure, other pressure readings, breathing rate, and your oxygen level. Heart valve repair/replacement surgery requires an in-hospital stay of several days or longer.

You will most likely have a tube in your throat so that your breathing can be assisted with a ventilator (breathing machine) until you are stable enough to breathe on your own.

As you wake up from the anesthesia more and start to breathe by yourself, the breathing machine will be adjusted to allow you to take over more of the breathing.

When you are awake enough to breathe completely by yourself and to be able to cough, the breathing tube will be removed. The stomach tube will also be removed at this time.

After the breathing tube is out, your nurse will assist you to cough and take deep breaths every two hours. This will be uncomfortable due to soreness, but it is extremely important that you do this in order to keep mucus from collecting in your lungs and possibly causing pneumonia.

You may have pain medication if you are hurting, and you should ask for the medication before you become extremely uncomfortable. Your nurse will show you how to hug a pillow tightly against your chest while coughing to help ease the discomfort.

You may be on special IV drips to help your blood pressure and your heart and to control any problems with bleeding. As your condition stabilizes, these drips will be gradually decreased and turned off as your condition allows.

Once the breathing and stomach tubes have been removed and your condition has stabilized, you may start liquids to drink. Your diet may be gradually advanced to more solid foods as you tolerate them.

When your doctor determines that you are ready, you will be moved from the ICU to a post-surgical unit or acute care unit. Your recovery will continue to progress. Your activity will be gradually increased as you get out of bed and walk around for longer periods of time. Your diet will be advanced to solid foods as you tolerate them.

Arrangements will be made for a follow-up visit with your doctor.

At home

Once you are home, it will be important to keep the surgical area clean and dry. Your doctor will give you specific bathing instructions. The sutures or surgical staples will be removed during a follow-up office visit, if they were not removed before leaving the hospital.

You should not drive until your doctor tells you to. Other activity restrictions may apply.

Notify your doctor to report any of the following:

• Fever and/or chills
• Redness, swelling, or bleeding or other drainage from the incision site
• Increase in pain around the incision site

Your doctor may give you additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your particular situation.