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Cardiac Surgery | by Dr. Ratan Kumar Das | Published on 28/12/2022
The majority of the population in India and across the world suffer from an acute or chronic heart condition. While most of us choose conventional resources as our treatment option to avoid surgery, the latter has several long-term health benefits. Annuloplasty is one such procedure to treat a leakage in the heart valve and ensure the blood is pumped efficiently through the body.
This blog contains information about annuloplasty and what you may expect during the procedure. However, the information provided on the blog is for educational purposes and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Let us deep dive to know more about annuloplasty and how it can be effective in repairing a heart valve. Make sure to visit the best cardiac surgeon in Kolkata, if you are facing any problems or difficulties, the doctor will give you better advice according to the diagnosis of your stage and your disease.
In medical terms, annuloplasty refers to the surgical procedure to reshape, reinforce or tighten the ring around the affected heart valve. The procedure involves placing a band around the ring that surrounds the heart valve (annulus). The ring stays in place and helps the heart valve open and close properly.
The cardiologist may recommend an annuloplasty in case of a leaky heart valve and improve movement and flexibility for blood to efficiently flow through the body. Depending on the severity of the condition, the medical health of the patient and the choice of procedure, there are several options to treat the heart valve -
Discuss your medical condition with the doctor to know the best treatment for your valve surgery regurgitation.
The Mitral valve annuloplasty procedure aims to treat patients with leaky or narrow mitral valves. The procedure involves open-heart surgery to either repair or replaces your mitral valve to lower the risk of heart and lung damage. The doctor initially recommends repairing the valve defect but in severe cases, replacement becomes inevitable.
It is important to discuss your condition with the doctor before proceeding with the procedure and scrutinize the risks and benefits. Like all other surgeries, there are chances of complications during the mitral valve annuloplasty procedure as well. However, with the advancements in medical technology, minimally invasive techniques and percutaneous interventions have offered reduced pain, faster healing, shorter hospital stays, lower risk of complications, etc.
While both procedures are performed to treat disorders in the heart valve, the difference lies in the outcome. Annuloplasty is a procedure to tighten a leaky heart valve whereas valvuloplasty is done to open a narrow heart valve. The surgeon can perform minimally invasive techniques for both annuloplasty and valvuloplasty. Minimally invasive procedures use keyhole incisions to gain access to the affected organs without the need for larger cuts. Such procedures help patients recover quicker and reduce the chances of complications.
An annuloplasty ring is generally made up of durable plastic, metal or even fabric. The ring is designed to maintain the natural shape, motion, and flexibility of the annulus. Furthermore, depending on the requirement, the ring can be rigid, flexible, or semi-solid.
Depending on the post-operative care, recovery time, and severity of the heart disease, the annuloplasty ring can last for more than 10 years. However, in case you face complications with the ring, get in touch with the doctor to avoid the chances of complications.
No, annuloplasty involves both minimally invasive as well as open-heart surgery. While most doctors recommend minimally invasive procedures to repair the leaky valve, open-heart surgery is usually more effective in severe cases.
