Heart Valve Repair & Replacement

Valve repair is strongly preferred whenever feasible — particularly for the mitral valve — because it preserves your own tissue, eliminates the need for lifelong blood thinners, and is associated with better long-term survival. Replacement becomes necessary when the valve is severely calcified, destroyed by infection, or affected by rheumatic disease, with the final decision depending on the specific valve involved and the surgeon's expertise.

Mechanical valves are extremely durable and can last a lifetime but require lifelong warfarin anticoagulation with regular blood monitoring. Biological (bioprosthetic) valves avoid the need for long-term blood thinners but degrade over time — lasting 15+ years in patients over 70 yet often deteriorating within a decade in patients under 50.

TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) delivers a new valve through a catheter inserted via a small groin incision, without opening the chest or stopping the heart. The procedure typically takes about one hour, often requires minimal anesthesia, and patients may go home the next day, compared to open-heart surgery which involves a large chest incision and 4-12 weeks of recovery.

Most cardiac centers recommend staying within 30 minutes of the hospital for 10-14 days after valve surgery. Airlines typically require a medical clearance letter and at least 2-3 weeks before flying after open-heart surgery (TAVR patients may be cleared sooner). Plan your total trip for 3-4 weeks to accommodate pre-operative assessment, surgery, recovery, and follow-up before departure.

Request a detailed discharge summary including the valve type, size, and manufacturer, operative notes, and recommended follow-up schedule (typically echocardiogram at 6 weeks, 6 months, then annually). Share these with your home cardiologist before you return. Many international cardiac centers offer virtual post-operative consultations during the first 3 months to coordinate with your local team.