“How Will My Heart Valve Replacement Be Measured?” Asks Kate
By Adam Pick on September 11, 2010
I just received a great question from Kate about heart valve replacement surgery.
Kate writes, “Hi Adam, I’m going in for surgery next week and I have a quick, follow-up question about the size of a heart valve replacement. It might sound silly, but… During the operation, how will the surgeon measure my valve? Do they have some kind of sterile tape measure? Thanks, Kate”
While we might think that a “surgical tape measure” would determine the diameter of the mechanical or bioprosthetic replacement valve, the reality is a bit different.
A special tool, known as a heart valve sizer, is used to determine the size (diameter, surface area) of the heart valve replacement. This unique device has multiple attachments that are lowered into the heart until a match is found.
Then, the new valve is stitched into the heart using sutures — as shown below.
Considering our bodies, hearts and heart valves are all different sizes, the heart valve sizer usually comes in a kit. Below, you will find a heart valve sizer kit offered by Medtronic, one of the leading heart valve manufacturers.
I hope that helps Kate (and perhaps you) learn how heart valve replacements are measured and implanted during surgery.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder
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anon says on September 11th, 2010 at 12:06 pm |
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This is actually a very good question, and Kate should speak with her surgeon about it. I had to have my Ross partially redone within a year because the pulmonary valve replacement was too small. That wasn’t fun. |
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Jim Hilbe says on September 11th, 2010 at 2:46 pm |
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The operation report from my wife’s aortic valve replacement begins with “we sized it; an Edwards Magna 21 was a perfect fit”. Jim Hilbe |
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Nan Sanderson says on September 15th, 2010 at 5:41 pm |
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Is a pig valve superior to an artificial one? Are the pig valves from young and strong specimans? |
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Dr. Alfredo Trento is a heart valve expert having performed over 4,000 heart valve repair and replacement operations during his career.
