If your pulmonary valve is not working properly, it may need to be surgically repaired or replaced. At Penn Medicine, our cardiac surgeons perform more valve surgeries than any other hospital in Pennsylvania. We repair your valve whenever possible to preserve the heart’s function and avoid complications that may arise with a prosthetic valve.
What Is the Pulmonary Valve's Function?
Pulmonary valve repair and replacement procedures are used to preserve and correct the function of the pulmonary valve. The pulmonary valve, or pulmonic valve, is one of the four main heart valves that control the blood flow into the heart.
When the structure of the pulmonary valve is compromised — whether that be due to age, congenital heart conditions or medical diagnoses like pulmonary stenosis, physical trauma, or other cause — the flow of blood is disrupted, causing the heart to have to work harder to operate normally.
Types of Pulmonary Valve Surgery Performed at Penn Medicine
Pulmonary valve diseases like pulmonary valve stenosis and regurgitation (leaky valve) are often treated with surgery. Penn Medicine cardiac surgeons specialize in two primary types of pulmonary valve procedures:
- Pulmonary valve repair
- Pulmonary valve replacement
Pulmonary valve replacement procedures are performed to replace a diseased valve, whereas pulmonary valve repair procedures correct a diseased valve without full replacement in less severe cases. Both surgical procedures aim to restore functionality to your pulmonic valve.
For those diagnosed with pulmonary valve disease but are at too high a risk for open-heart surgery, a minimally invasive alternative is offered at Penn Medicine’s state-of-the-art operating facilities. Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) uses a catheter to guide a replacement valve through the femoral artery in the groin to the diseased valve.
As one of the largest Heart Valve Disease programs in the country, Penn provides specialized care for adult patients with congenital heart conditions like pulmonary heart disease. Through our Adult Congenital Heart Center, we work with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to monitor patients and collaborate on complex pulmonary valve repairs and replacements.
How Pulmonary Valve Repair Works
Cardiac surgeons at Penn surgically repair your pulmonary valve whenever possible, rather than replacing it. The type of surgical pulmonary valve repair performed depends on your diagnosis. Options offered include:
- Ring annuloplasty: A ring made of either metal, cloth or tissue is sewn around the valve to tighten it, closing off a leaking valve.
- Commissurotomy: This procedure loosens a narrowed valve suffering from pulmonary stenosis.
- Pulmonary valve flap repair: The pulmonary valve leaflets (flaps) are surgically altered by trimming, patching, reshaping or rebuilding them so that they close more tightly.
How Pulmonary Valve Replacement Works
If repairing your pulmonary valve is not an option, your cardiac surgeon may suggest a surgical replacement. For adults with congenital heart disease, pulmonary valve replacement is the most common surgery performed. After your doctor removes the damaged pulmonary valve, replacement options include:
- Mechanical valve: Mechanical valves are man-made valves can last for up to 30 years. Blood-thinning medications may be prescribed by your doctor to prevent blood clots that sometimes accompany a mechanical valve.
- Biological valve: Biological valves are replacement pulmonary valves that are made from organic heart tissue taken from a cow, pig or human heart. These valves can last for up to 10 to 20 years.
What Happens During Pulmonary Valve Repair or Replacement Procedures?
We repair and replace pulmonary valves using either open-chest surgery or minimally invasive heart surgery, which is performed through smaller incisions. Your heart structure, valve disease, age and general health will help determine which type of surgery is right for you. If you need surgery to correct another heart condition, your surgeon may address both during the same procedure.
Cardiac surgeons at Penn operate on your heart in state-of-the-art operating rooms. One of our expert cardiac anesthesiologists will administer general anesthesia and ensure that you are sleeping comfortably during your valve repair or replacement. Then, your surgeon:
- Places you on a heart-lung bypass machine, so that blood will continue to pump through your body during the procedure.
- Makes several smaller incisions in your chest (for minimally invasive surgery) or one longer incision in the right part of your chest near the breastbone (for traditional, open chest surgery).
- Repairs or replaces your damaged pulmonary valve.
- Removes you from the bypass machine, ensures your heart is functioning correctly and closes your incision.
Pulmonary Valve Surgery Recovery and Rehabilitation
Your recovery time after surgery depends on the type of surgery you undergo; however, this time period usually falls between four to eight weeks. Patients tend to recover from minimally invasive surgery much more quickly than from traditional open-chest surgery.
Patients spend a day or more in the cardiac intensive care unit (ICU), where our recovery team monitors patient vitals and cares for recovering patients in the immediate aftermath of surgery. After the ICU, patients will spend a few days in a regular hospital room before being approved to return home for the rest of recovery. Our cardiac team will provide recovery instructions to assure that patients and families know the physical limitations and incision care needed while at home.
Your cardiologist may recommend cardiac rehabilitation following your heart surgery. This outpatient program offers guidance in exercise and nutrition, while educating you about heart-healthy habits.
Request an Appointment
To make an appointment, please call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.