Aortic Valvotomy

Preparation

• The first step is to plan your consultation during which your overall health and symptoms will be assessed. This is done with the help of a physical examination, assessing your medical history and performing a series of tests.
• Based on your test results, doctors will determine if aortic valvotomy is the right treatment for you and curate a proper treatment plan to yield the finest results.
• You will, then, be briefed about the procedure in detail and given a set of guidelines. You will be informed about the pros and cons, as well as what to expect.
• It is important to inform your doctor if you are taking any medication currently as you might need to make some adjustments in the dosage or stop taking the same temporarily.
• It is important to inform your doctor if you have any allergies or if you suspect that you are pregnant.
• You need to fast for a few hours before the procedure to make sure that it is being done on an empty stomach. This is important for alleviating the risks of vomiting and nausea.

What does the Procedure involve?

• You will be assigned a nurse who will help you with the whole process. You will need to change into the hospital gown and an IV line will be started to give fluids and medication.
• The procedure involves the use of anaesthesia and sedatives to make sure that you do not feel any pain or discomfort.
• You will be connected to an ECG monitor using tiny electrode pads, This is done for continuous monitoring of your heart function. Your vitals will be taken.
• Doctors will prepare the surgical site and introduce a tiny catheter into one of the major blood vessels using a sheath and a guidewire. This is done with the help of detailed visualization offered by a tiny surgical camera.
• Once the catheter is in the right position, a contrast dye will be injected to allow better visualization. The inflatable balloon fitted on one end of the catheter is inflated to open the valve and clear the obstruction. This may be done a few times, depending on the severity of the blockage.
• Once the blood flow has been restored, the balloon is deflated and removed along with other equipment and the incision is closed.

What follows the Procedure?

• After the procedure is carried out, you will be taken to the recovery area, from where you will be shifted to your own room after gaining consciousness.
• You will be required to lie still for some time, in order to alleviate the risks of bleeding
• Mild chest pain and soreness are common and can be managed with prescribed pain medication. If the problem persists, you need to inform your doctor.
• It is important to adhere to the set of guidelines recommended by your doctor related to your medication, food and daily activities.
• Regular follow-ups are a must as these help the doctors to track your prognosis efficiently.