Your Aortic Valve AndIts Role (NAPSA)—Did you know that a normal aortic heart valve is approximately the size of a half dollar? As one of the four valves of the heart, the aortic valve opens and closes each time the heart beats, or about 100,000 times each day. As a result, this valve can become dam- aged over time, most often due to aging, which can harden (due mainly to calcium deposits) or weaken the cusps of the valve. Whenanaortic valve is damaged and unable to open fully, a condition called aortic stenosis results. This causes con- stricting blood flow through the valve, which can make the rest of the heart work harder to pump blood through the body. Sometimes, this damage can cause the valve notto close tightly, whichis called aortic regurgitation, commonly knownasa “leaky”valve. While there is a range of heart valve disorders that may result in a patient's need for an aortic valve replacement treatment, the two most common dis- eases that cause patients to undergo surgery are aortic stenosis and regurgita- tion. Mild forms of aortic stenosis or regurgitation do not typically require aortic valve replacement, though doctors may recommendthat patients with complex forms of these diseases undergo a repair or replacementsurgery. The Facts and Future of Heart Valve Surgery Every year in the U.S., there are more than 60,000 surgical aortic valve replace- ments to treat damaged aortic heart valves. As the most commonsurgical procedure for the treatment of aortic stenosis, aortic valve replacement procedures replace the damaged heart valve with a mechanicalor tissue valve. However, someaortic valve replace- ment options are complex, requiring a numberofsurgical steps such as placing sutures and tying knots, resulting in a long procedure and recovery time. The Doctors have many waysto help people with heart valve problems lead full and healthylives. good news is that there is a new advancementin aortic valve replacement called the Perceval sutureless valve. Perceval is the first rapid-deployment, sutureless heart valve for patients who need a surgical aortic valve replacement. “As a new generation in aortic valve replacement, the Perceval sutureless valve helps reduce the complexity of a valve replacement procedure by optimizing the speed and efficiency of the operation and enables a minimally invasive approach,’ said Dr. Allan Stewart, Director of Aortic Surgery and CoDirector of the Valve Center in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at The MountSinai Hospital, New York, N.Y. “Many of my patients who have had an implant with Perceval are impressed with the valve’s benefits, including shorter procedure times, hos- pital stays and recovery time.” Manypatients whoreceive treatment live full and healthy lives, especially when their other cardiovascular risks are low. If you have a valve disease, speak to your doctor about your treatment options, understand yourrisk and determine the best treatment option for you. To learn more about the Perceval valve, how the valve works and its benefits, visit the Sutureless Valve Education Center at wwwiheartvalvesurgery.com/sutureless.
