DVR
DVR stands for double valve replacement surgery, a procedure in which the mitral valve and the aortic valve are replaced with synthetic valves.
This surgery is required when both the valves are affected due to severe conditions such as rheumatic heart disease, infective endocarditis, or degenerative valve disease.
Medications will not work as the disease progresses to narrowing down of the valves or leakage in the valve. Learn more about it and why India is the best option for DVR surgery.
Symptoms when you may need DVR surgery
Patients who have both valves badly affected will exhibit typical symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, fluid retention in the body, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Based on these, the physician may recommend a series of tests.
Diagnosis for DVR surgery
Doctors will check the patient for symptoms that indicate valvular heart disease and then recommend a transthoracic echocardiogram and transesophageal echocardiogram to assess the valve structure and function.
Doctors may also conduct cardiac catheterization to assess the conditions and then recommend DVR surgery.
Treatment and actual DVR surgery procedure
- The patient must remain on an empty stomach the night before the surgery.
- The next morning he is given anesthesia and an incision is made in the sternum to access the heart.
- The patient is connected to a heart lung machine to maintain circulation. The diseased valves are removed and prosthetic valves are sewn in place of the removed aortic and mitral valve.
- The chest incision is sutured and the patient is transferred to the ICU to receive post operative care for one to two weeks.
- Thereafter the patient goes home and slowly starts resuming normal activities while avoiding any stress or hard labor.
- Doctors suggest that patients should change their lifestyle to a healthier one.
Success of DVR surgery
This is a critical procedure and success depends on a variety of factors, chiefly the health of the patient, age, other diseases, and the skill of the surgeon.
It must be kept in mind that a surgery is recommended only if there are chances of success, and hence, considering today’s advancements, such DVR procedures result in success in most cases.
Risks of DVR surgery
There are various risks ranging from mild to severe in DVR. Bleeding and infection may happen at the sutures site.
The patient may develop an abnormal heart rhythm that will require treatment.
There is a chance of blood clots forming on the prosthetic valves leading to stroke or pulmonary embolism which will require anticoagulation therapy. The valves may degenerate over time or malfunction.
Why India is your best option for DVR surgery
India should be your preferred destination for DVR surgery for various reasons:
- India has some of the best cardiologists and cardiac surgeons capable of carrying out the most complex procedures with high chances of success.
- There are excellent specialist heart hospitals equipped with the best equipments and staffed by highly qualified professionals.
- The cost of DVR in India is far lower even after accounting for travel and accommodation costs.
- The procedure is done immediately—there is no waiting period.
- Indians have a caring attitude which patients will appreciate when they are recovering in the hospital.
DVR is a critical surgery that needs the services of a specialist, which can be prohibitively high in western countries, but is more reasonable and lower in India. Pick India and save a bundle as well as a life through DVR surgery.