A. Annuloplasty is a type of medical procedure performed to treat a leaky heart valve. The procedure involves placing a band around the ring surrounding the heart valve, known as the annulus. This band will reinforce the ring to help the heart valve close tightly.

A. Annuloplasty is performed by a cardiac surgeon.

A. The following are some of the safe exercises for people having heart valve diseases:

1. Walking
2. Yoga
3. Cycling
4. Swimming
5. Stretching
6. Strength training 

A. The following symptoms could indicate a leaking heart valve that may require annuloplasty or other types of treatments:

1. Shortness of breath
2. Chest pain
3. Palpitations 
4. Fatigue
5. Weakness
6. Head murmur
7. Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
8. Fainting 
9. Lightheadedness 
10. Swelling of feet and ankles

A. The mitral valve of the heart is the most common type of heart valve to undergo regurgitation or leakage.

A. An annuloplasty ring is made up of durable plastic, fabric, or metal. The ring could be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible. The rings and bands are designed in a way such that they maintain the natural shape, flexibility, and motion of the annulus.

A. Annuloplasty procedure takes approximately two to four hours to complete, depending on the technique used for the procedure. An open-heart surgery may take longer to complete than a minimally-invasive procedure.

A. Annuloplasty ring dehiscence is a rare post-operative procedure type of failure of valve repair. In this condition, the sutures that anchor the annuloplasty ring to the annulus pull out from the tissue.

A. Yes, annuloplasty rings are designed in a manner such that it stays in their place permanently, once placed.

A. The results of annuloplasty usually last for many decades. Most patients will not need a replacement.

A. Annuloplasty may lead to the following complications:

1. Malfunction of the annuloplasty ring
2. Blood clot formation
3. Irregular heartbeat
4. Stroke
5. Infection
6. Bleeding 

A. Although both annuloplasty and valvuloplasty are procedures performed to treat the disorders of the heart valve, there is a difference in the purpose and outcomes of both procedures. Annuloplasty is generally performed to treat a leaky heart valve, known as valve regurgitation, whereas valvuloplasty is performed to open a narrow heart valve, known as valve stenosis.

A. Annuloplasty is usually done under general anesthesia, which means that the patient will be asleep during the surgery.
There are different techniques that can be used to perform an annuloplasty. These techniques include:

1. Open heart annuloplasty:

• The cardiac surgeon makes a large incision or cut in the chest area near the heart.
• The surgeon will then locate the affected heart valve.
• The annuloplasty ring will then be sewed or placed around the heart valve.
• The incision will then be closed using stitches or surgical glue.

2. Minimally-invasive surgery:

• The cardiac surgeon makes many tiny incisions in the chest region in close proximity to the heart.
• The surgeon will then insert small, flexible tubes with cameras (endoscope) and medical tools through these incisions.
• The tools and camera will be used to sew or place the annuloplasty ring around the affected heart valve.
• The tools and camera will then be removed and the incisions made will be closed using surgical glue or stitches.

3. Transcatheter procedure:

• The surgeon guides a thin, flexible tube, called a catheter, through the femoral artery (artery in the groin region) to the affected heart valve to perform an annuloplasty.
• This technique is still under clinical trials.
• The heart muscle will then start growing around the annuloplasty ring over time and act as a part of the heart.

A. Depending on which leaky heart valve is being treated, annuloplasty can be of the following different types:

• Mitral valve annuloplasty
• Aortic valve annuloplasty
• Tricuspid valve annuloplasty
• Pulmonary valve annuloplasty 

A. An annuloplasty will help in reinforcing a leaky heart valve. It improves the flow of blood through the heart and helps the heart to pump blood more efficiently. In most patients, the results of an annuloplasty last a lifetime.

A. The patient can usually go home seven days after open heart annuloplasty. If the patient has undergone a minimally-invasive annuloplasty procedure, the patient can go home one to two days after the procedure.

A. Most patients can resume work within one or two weeks after an annuloplasty. Patients having a more physically-demanding job may need to wait longer.

A. No, the doctor may choose to perform other forms of treatment for valve leakage depending on the severity of the condition present and the health of the patient. For example, a minimally-invasive procedure known as MitraClip placement is commonly performed to close the mitral valve close tightly. Valve replacement surgery may also be performed to replace a leaky heart valve.

A. No, annuloplasty can be performed by open-heart surgery or as a minimally-invasive procedure that will require smaller incisions. Research and trials are on to perform annuloplasty using thin, long tubes known as catheters using a transcatheter approach.

A. Annuloplasty has success rates between 80% to 95%. Complications are rare and occur in less than 5% of cases.