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.

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

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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