Your aortic valve connects your heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) to the main artery that delivers oxygen-rich blood to your body (the aorta). When your heart contracts, the aortic valve opens to allow blood flow and then closes to keep blood from flowing backward. Aortic valve disease occurs when the valve does not open or close properly, causing your heart to work harder. Over time, this strain can lead to serious health issues, including irregular heartbeat, heart failure, blood clots, and stroke.

Our cardiothoracic surgeons combine leading expertise with state-of-the-art technology to treat all forms of aortic valve disease. Through proactive treatment and advanced surgical techniques, we aim to restore your aortic valve function and improve your overall quality of life.

Why Choose Us for Aortic Valve Surgery

  • Expertise in complex valve conditions: We’re equipped to handle the most complex cases, with access to advanced resources that many hospitals don’t have. This includes active research programs offering the latest clinical trials, along with experienced heart surgeons who are experts in valve surgery. 
  • Minimally invasive options: Whenever appropriate, our surgeons use smaller incisions or catheter-based procedures to replace the valve without opening the chest. These techniques can lead to less pain, reduced scarring, and faster recovery times. 
  • Comprehensive care and support: We collaborate closely with other specialized teams within our organization to ensure you receive a personalized treatment plan before and after the surgery.

Conditions We Treat

Aortic Valve Stenosis

When the valve leaflets stiffen, the valve opening becomes narrow and limits blood flow from the heart to the body. This increases pressure within your heart, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

Aortic Valve Regurgitation

When the valve does not close properly, blood leaks backward into the heart after each beat. As your condition worsens, it may lead to symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs or feet.

Services We Provide

Treatment for aortic valve disease depends on the severity of your symptoms. Age, other existing health conditions, and your lifestyle can also impact this decision. Your surgeon will help you decide which option best fits your age, lifestyle, and health needs.

Aortic Valve Repair

For certain cases of aortic regurgitation, surgeons can preserve your natural valve by reshaping or reinforcing it to restore proper closure. Repair often provides durable results and may reduce the need for lifelong medication.

Aortic Valve Replacement

When repair isn’t possible, the damaged valve may be replaced with a mechanical or biological prosthetic valve.

  • Mechanical valves are highly durable and designed to last a lifetime but require long-term use of blood thinners. 
  • Biological valves (made from pig, cow, or human tissue) don’t require blood thinners but may need to be replaced after 10–20 years. 
  • The Ross procedure is a complex heart surgery that replaces a diseased aortic valve with your own healthy pulmonary valve (autograft) and then replaces your now-empty pulmonary valve position with a donor valve (homograft). This procedure is often recommended for younger patients.

Recovery

Timeframes may change depending on your specific needs, but patients typically spend 3- 5 days in the hospital and begin cardiac rehab soon after recovery. We provide ongoing follow-up care, cardiac rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments to help you return to daily activities.

We’ll provide specific recovery instructions before you leave the hospital, including guidance on medications, activity, and follow-up appointments.

Take the Next Step

Our team is here to help you every step of the way. Call our cardiothoracic surgery clinic at 909-558-4208 to learn more or ask your cardiologist or primary care provider for a referral.

Referring providers: Call 909-558-4208 to refer a patient for aortic valve treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common symptoms of aortic valve disease?

Symptoms can include chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, fainting, swelling in the legs, or a heart murmur. However, some people experience no symptoms until the disease is advanced.

How is aortic valve disease treated?

Depending on the severity of your condition, treatment may include medication, valve repair, surgical repair or replacement, or a transcatheter procedure (TAVR). Our team will recommend the safest, most effective option for your condition.

What can I expect during recovery?

Recovery times vary based on the type of surgery performed. Our team provides tailored aftercare, including cardiac rehabilitation, nutrition guidance, and lifestyle support, to help you regain strength and confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common symptoms of aortic valve disease?

Symptoms can include chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, fainting, swelling in the legs, or a heart murmur. However, some people experience no symptoms until the disease is advanced.

How is aortic valve disease treated?

Depending on the severity of your condition, treatment may include medication, valve repair, surgical repair or replacement, or a transcatheter procedure (TAVR). Our team will recommend the safest, most effective option for your condition.

What can I expect during recovery?

Recovery times vary based on the type of surgery performed. Our team provides tailored aftercare, including cardiac rehabilitation, nutrition guidance, and lifestyle support, to help you regain strength and confidence.