Valve replacement (aortic, mitral)

Heart valves work like doors that keep blood flowing in the right direction inside the heart. When a valve narrows (stenosis) or no longer closes properly (regurgitation), the heart has to work harder and gradually becomes exhausted. Valve replacement consists of removing the diseased valve and replacing it with a prosthesis. Two main types of prosthesis exist: mechanical prostheses, which are very durable but require lifelong anticoagulant treatment, and biological prostheses, made from tissue of animal origin, which generally do not require long-term anticoagulation. The choice is discussed with the patient according to their age, lifestyle and preferences. The most frequently replaced valves are the aortic valve and the mitral valve. The procedure is performed under cardiopulmonary bypass, via a conventional or minimally invasive approach depending on the case. At Clinique Pasteur Tunis, valve replacement is performed by an experienced surgical team, with systematic intraoperative echocardiographic control and post-operative monitoring in a dedicated cardiac intensive care unit.