Aortic valve replacement
This is a diagram of how the valve is replaced. First, you have to be placed
on the bypass machine and your heart stopped. Then you cut out the old valve and
sew in the new one.

Prosthetic valves
These are the 2 major types of valves that can be put in. This one is a pig
valve, although it can be from a pig or a cow. This is a mechanical valve made
with steel and plastic. The mechanical valve lasts forever, but blood clots can
form on it so you have to take a medicine to thin out your blood, which makes it
easier to bleed. You have to take the medicine every day. You don’t have to
take any medicines with the pig valve, but it only lasts 8-12 years

Results of Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic valve replacement is a safe operation. Only about 4 out of 100 people
die from the surgery. As with bypass surgery, the strength of the heart is the
most important determining factor. The stronger you are before the surgery, the
safer the surgery. Generally, the longer you wait with valve problems, the
weaker your heart gets with time.
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