Artificial heart valves, constructed from synthetic materials and metallic compounds like carbon and titanium, are implanted in patients with conditions such as heart valve stenosis, heart valve regurgitation, mitral valve stenosis, and severe aortic valve regurgitation. This procedure alleviates symptoms, prevents heart failure, and reduces the risk of premature death.

Doctor Pham Do Anh Thu, Head of the Heart Valve Unit at Tam Anh General Hospital's Heart Center in Ho Chi Minh City, explains that patients typically require 2-3 months for post-surgical recovery. This timeframe can be shortened to 2-4 weeks with minimally invasive or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures.

Potential post-surgical complications include infection, blood clots, temporary arrhythmia, reduced kidney function in the initial days, stroke risk, valve degeneration (primarily with biological valves), and infective endocarditis.

To minimize these risks, post-discharge patients require family support and should engage in light exercise like walking and yoga, maintain a healthy diet, and get adequate rest. Adhering to prescribed anticoagulants prevents blood clots. Additional precautions include keeping the area around the artificial valve clean and dry, using mild soap and water for cleaning, and avoiding harsh detergents.

Rest is crucial, and strenuous activities or heavy lifting should be avoided for 8 weeks post-surgery. A balanced diet with easily digestible foods, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and oily fish is recommended. Stress management and regular check-ups are essential for monitoring recovery and addressing any arising issues.

Patients should seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms like shortness of breath, fever, sudden weight gain, fainting, or severe unexplained headaches.

Artificial heart valves come in two types: mechanical and biological. Mechanical valves, made from synthetic materials and metallic compounds, last 20-30 years. Biological valves, derived from processed pig or cow heart tissue, last 8-15 years. While mechanical valves don't calcify over time, they require lifelong anticoagulant medication, unlike biological valves, which only necessitate a few months of medication.

Due to the faster degeneration of biological valves in younger individuals, mechanical valves are generally preferred for patients under 60 to reduce the need for repeat surgeries. Biological valves are better suited for patients over 60. All artificial valves offer biocompatibility. Pre-implantation testing ensures the body's immune system will accept the new valve.

Thu Ha