Therapies for diseased heart valves

Narrowing (stenosis) and leakage (insufficiency) are the most common heart valve defects.

Diseases with dysfunction of the heart valves consist either of calcification, thickening or adhesion leading to narrowing, or of dilatation or rupture of the valves, which does not allow a complete conclusion.

Diseases and therapies of the heart valves Diagnostic procedures for diseases of the heart valves Catheter-based valve replacement (TAVI) of the aortic valve Surgical replacement of the aortic valve Surgical reconstruction of the aortic valve Catheter-based reconstruction (MitraClip) of the mitral valve Surgical reconstruction of the mitral valve Surgical replacement of the mitral valve Catheter-based reconstruction of the tricuspid valve Surgical reconstruction of the tricuspid valve

Diseases and therapies of the heart valves

Diseases of the heart valves most often affect the mitral valve (between the left atrium and the left ventricle) and the aortic valve (between the left ventricle and the aorta).

Causes of the disease of the heart valves are usually age-related degeneration. With age, they thicken due to calcification. The aorta becomes more inelastic, increasing blood pressure and stress on the mitral valve, and the heart needs extra oxygen to pump enough blood. These age-related changes, once severe, can lead to disabling symptoms and even heart failure.

The following heart valve diseases are treated at the Heart Valve Center.

Therapies of the aortic valve

Therapies of the mitral valve

Therapies of the tricuspid valve

Diagnostic procedures for diseases of the heart valves

Even a thorough physical examination and listening to the heart with a stethoscope can help doctors determine whether heart valve disease is present. Classic symptoms and cases of a heart valve defect in the family are indications for the presence of a disease of the heart valves.

Major diangnose methods of heart valves:

Ultrasound examination of the heart (echocardiography)
Echocardiography
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Exercise ECG (ergometry)
Blood pressure measurement
Blood tests
X-ray examination: X-ray image of the chest
possibly computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRT)

Echocardiography as the most important diagnostic procedure of the heart valves

Catheter-based valve replacement (TAVI) of the aortic valve

Catheter-based valve replacement (TAVI) for stenosis or insufficiency of the aortic valve

The modern catheter-based method of aortic valve replacement is a minimally invasive procedure, which makes it possible to treat the aortic valve without anaesthesia and to implant a biological prosthesis on the beating heart in the awake patient.

Catheter-based valve replacement (TAVI) for stenosis or insufficiency of the aortic valve

Surgical replacement of the aortic valve

Surgical aortic valve replacement

Surgical aortic valve replacement is recommended in cases of severe aortic valve stenosis, especially in cases of combined diseases (valvular vitiation) of the aortic valve. A biological or mechanical valve prosthesis replaces the aortic valve via the opened aorta. The operation is usually performed using a minimally invasive surgical procedure and the heart-lung machine.

Surgical aortic valve replacement

Reconstruction or replacement of the diseased aortic valve

Surgical reconstruction of the aortic valve

Surgical aortic valve reconstruction

Surgical aortic valve reconstruction enables the restoration of the patient's own natural functions of the aortic valve. The operation is usually performed using a minimally invasive surgical procedure and the heart-lung machine. Especially in younger patients, the procedure promises positive long-term results.

Reconstruction or replacement of the diseased aortic valve

Surgical aortic valve reconstruction

Catheter-based reconstruction (MitraClip) of the mitral valve

Catheter-based valve reconstruction (MitraClip) of the mitral valve

Catheter-based MitraClip valve reconstruction allows the two leaflets of the mitral valve to be attached and positioned via a catheter system inserted through the veins to the heart, thereby reconstructing the function of the mitral valve. TAVI stands for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Catheter-based valve reconstruction (MitraClip) for mitral valve regurgitation

Surgical reconstruction of the mitral valve

Mitral valve reconstruction is the most optimal method for patients with mitral valve insufficiency (leaky valve) and for some patients with mitral valve stenosis (narrowed valve). During reconstruction, diseased parts of the mitral valve (annulus, leaflet, tendon sutures) are repaired preserved and the framework of the mitral valve is strengthened by a ring to restore the natural function of the mitral valve.

Surgical reconstruction of the mitral valve

Surgical replacement of the mitral valve

Surgical replacement of the mitral valve is necessary in cases of very severely calcified mitral valve. In valve replacement, the diseased valve is removed and replaced with a mechanical or biological valve prosthesis. The operation is usually performed using a minimally invasive surgical procedure and the heart-lung machine.

Surgical replacement of the mitral valve

Catheter-based reconstruction of the tricuspid valve

Surgical reconstruction of the tricuspid valve

Surgical methods are used to surgically reconstruct the natural geometry of the tricuspid valve. For this purpose, an artificial C-shaped band is sewn in.

The operation is usually performed in a minimally invasive procedure through a small incision in the intercostal space, without opening the sternum and with the aid of the heart-lung machine.

Surgical reconstruction of the tricuspid valve