Aortic Valve Repair in South Korea

The procedure starts with a general anesthetic and you will not feel any pain throughout the surgery. Your doctor may perform the procedure through traditional open-surgery with the opening of the chest bone or through a less invasive procedure called balloon valvuloplasty.

The procedure may involve various different types of repair, such as adding support at the base roots of the valve, reshaping tissue to allow the valve to close tightly, separating fused valve cusps, and inserting tissue to patch holes in the flaps that close off the valve. In some situations, an aortic valve replacement might be recommended based on the severity of the condition and the overall health of the patient.

You may need to spend a day or two in the intensive care unit (ICU), then you will be moved to a regular room and expect to stay in the hospital for several days. The total recommended time you should spend in South Korea is around 14 days or until your surgeon says it is okay for you to travel.

Your general health, age, and treatment response can have a big impact on this timeline. It is essential to organise your stay in South Korea appropriately for the greatest results because of the hospital stay, immediate post-operative recovery, and recovery time.

The recovery period follows the Aortic Valve Repair in South Korea and typically lasts six to eight weeks. To make sure that all of your vital signs are stable and satisfactory, you might need to stay in the hospital for around a week. During recuperation, putting a lot of emphasis on fitness and wellness helps hasten the process. Strength and cardiovascular health can be steadily improved with a combination of resistance training and light exercise.

This is only a broad guideline, and your specific needs will change depending on your medical history and the difficulty of the treatment. Maintaining regular contact with your healthcare professional after discharge will be crucial to your rehabilitation.

You will need to attend regular follow-up appointments, but you can schedule these appointments with your local doctor instead of your doctor in South Korea if you prefer. You will be instructed to make healthy lifestyle changes, including physical activities (such as regular exercises), a healthy diet, stress management, and avoiding cigarettes, to reduce the risk of future complications and keep your heart healthy. 

Aortic valve repair is highly successful, safe and it offers a long-term solution. Only 1 in 10 patients required another operation within ten years after surgery and the risk of death is less than 1%. Still, it is good to be aware of the side effects and the risks of the procedure, which include bleeding, stroke, valve dysfunction, heart rhythm problems, infection, blood clots, and death.  The success rate of the treatment is greatly influenced by adherence to a balanced diet, regular exercise routine, living a healthy lifestyle, and consistency with recommended drugs.

There are a number of alternatives to Aortic Valve Repair depending on the severity of the sickness, your age, and your general health. Non-invasive treatments, such as adopting a nutritious diet, engaging in regular exercise, and keeping a healthy weight, can sometimes be beneficial. Medication that lowers congestion, thins the blood to prevent clots, or regulates heart rate and rhythms may be effective in treating some people. All of these techniques can be used to treat heart problems and may postpone the requirement for surgical intervention.

Percutaneous techniques or minimally invasive heart valve surgery may be options for some patients. These include transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or balloon valvuloplasty, in which the valve is either replaced or widened using a catheter. Before making a choice, it's crucial to have a thorough discussion with your healthcare practitioner about all available alternative treatments in South Korea and to assess the potential advantages and disadvantages. It's important to keep in mind that each treatment option is unique to you and that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to medicine.