Aortic Valve Repair

If the condition of the heart’s aortic valve is not so severe that a valve replacement is necessary, an aortic valve repair may be appropriate. Retaining patients’ original valves when possible is preferable to replacing them.

The benefits of repairing—versus replacing—a faulty aortic valve include less risk of the patient developing endocarditis (a type of heart infection) and of bleeding and clotting, as well as less likelihood of future revision surgery.

WakeMed’s highly trained cardiovascular surgeons perform a variety of sophisticated aortic valve repairs to treat diseased aortic valves.

Surgery to Repair Aortic Valves

Aortic valve repair typically involves opening the chest and using a cardiopulmonary bypass machine. The exact nature of this cardiovascular surgery is dictated by the specific valve condition and its severity.

Aortic valve repair surgeries include:

• Valve-sparing surgeries that reduce the valve’s diameter
• Surgical manipulation of the valve’s shape
• Patching a torn valve 

Make an Appointment

The specially trained surgeons at WakeMed’s Center for Proximal Aortic Surgery perform all types of advanced aortic valve repair surgeries. If you or someone you love might benefit from this type of surgery, make an appointment today with one of WakeMed’s specialized cardiologists.

• Request a Heart and Vascular Appointment
• Refer a Patient (Physicians)