Aortic Valve Replacement

Turn to the CentraCare Heart & Vascular Team for safe, high-quality aortic valve replacement. With or without surgery, we can ease symptoms of aortic insufficiency and improve your energy and stamina.

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What’s Aortic Insufficiency?

Aortic insufficiency, or aortic regurgitation, happens when the aortic valve in your heart doesn’t work properly. The valve’s leaflets don’t fully open and close, causing blood to leak backward into the heart’s lower chamber. This leak reduces blood flow to your muscles and organs.

Aortic Insufficiency Symptoms

Talk to your doctor if you experience symptoms like:

  • Chest pain
  • Fatigue
  • Lightheadedness
  • Severe shortness of breath with activity
  • Tachycardia (fast heart rate)

Is Aortic Valve Replacement Right for Me?

If your symptoms are severe, you might need a valve replacement. We’ll work with you to determine the right approach: surgery or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) at CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital.

Surgery

Aortic valve replacement is open-heart surgery. That means the surgeon divides your breastbone to access your heart. Then, the surgeon exchanges the damaged heart valve with one made of titanium, carbon or natural tissue. We’ll recommend the best type of valve based on your age, medical history and preferences.

After surgery, cardiac rehabilitation helps you safely recover your strength.

TAVR

TAVR is less invasive than surgery and doesn’t require an incision in your chest. It involves a catheter — a thin, soft tube inserted into a blood vessel through a tiny incision. The tube carries an artificial valve up to your heart. There, a doctor places it over your narrowed aortic valve. The new valve lets blood flow freely through your heart. Learn more about TAVR.

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If you have questions about our structural heart and valve care, please call 320-293-0750 or email valveclinic@centracare.com.

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