Annuloplasty

Annuloplasty is generally performed to treat a leaky heart valve, also known as valve regurgitation.
The heart has four valves, which open and close to send blood through the heart. If the valve does not close properly, the blood could leak backward and the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently through the body. A leaky heart valve could lead to complications like heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest. It is therefore important to get treated as soon as possible.

Purpose:
Annuloplasty is performed in cases of valve regurgitation. The different types of annuloplasty procedures, depending on the valve that is being repaired, include:

Know More About Surgery

The following symptoms may indicate a leaking heart valve that may need annuloplasty or other types of heart valve treatments:

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

 

  1. Physical examination: The doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the medical history and symptoms. The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the heart and a heart murmur may indicate the leakage of the blood backward through the valve.
  2. Echocardiogram: This test involves the use of sound waves to create images of the heart in motion.
  3. Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test involves attaching wires to the pads on the skin. It is used to measure the electrical signals from the heart.
  4. Chest x-ray: This test enables the doctor to see the condition of the heart and lungs.
  5. Cardiac MRI: This test uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the heart.
  6. Stress tests: The patient is made to walk on a treadmill, ride a stationary bike, or be given certain medications to mimic the effect of exercise, while the heart will be monitored.
  7. Cardiac catheterization: This test involves threading a catheter (thin tube) through a blood vessel in the groin or arm region to an artery in the heart and then injecting a dye through the catheter to make the heart arteries show up more clearly on an x-ray.

 

  1. An annuloplasty procedure is generally performed under general anesthesia, which means that the patient will be put to sleep during the surgery.
  2. There are different techniques that can be used to perform an annuloplasty. These techniques include:
  3. Open heart annuloplasty:
  4. The cardiac surgeon makes a large incision or cut in the chest area near the heart.
  5. The surgeon will then locate the affected heart valve.
  6. The annuloplasty ring will then be sewed or placed around the heart valve.
  7. The incision will then be closed using stitches or surgical glue.

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.

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.

Annuloplasty can lead to the following complications:

  1. Infection
  2. Malfunction of the annuloplasty ring
  3. Blood clot formation
  4. Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
  5. Bleeding
  6. Stroke
  7. Shortness of breath
  8. Chest pain
  9. Weakness
  10. Redness or swelling around the site of the incision
  1. You will be spending a couple of hours in the recovery room after the procedure, where you will be monitored closely.
  2. Most patients having a minimally-invasive procedure can return home within one or two days of the procedure.
  3. Most patients who have undergone open-heart surgery can return home within seven days of the procedure.
  4. If you have any complications, you may need a longer stay in the hospital.

Home remedies:

The following home care tips are recommended to enable a smooth and quick recovery after the annuloplasty procedure:

  1. Avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for at least one week after the procedure.
  2. Most patients can resume work within one or two weeks after the procedure unless the patient has a physically strenuous job, then he or she needs to wait longer.
  3. The doctor will provide specific instructions on what to expect during the recovery period.
  4. The overall recovery period will vary among different patients, depending on the technique used for the procedure, the age of the patient, the overall health of the patient, and the severity of the condition that was treated.

Cost of Annuloplasty in India- 

The cost of annuloplasty in Mumbai is between INR 3,00,000 to INR 6,00,000.
The cost of annuloplasty in Delhi is between INR 2,75,000 to INR 5,50,000.
The cost of annuloplasty in Bangalore is between INR 2,75,000 to INR 5,50,000.
The cost of annuloplasty in Chennai is between INR 2,50,000 to INR 5,00,000.