AVR / MVR at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Malad
A damaged heart valve slowly asks more and more of the heart, and it rarely repairs itself. When a valve narrows, leaks, or stiffens beyond what repair can correct, replacement surgery becomes the more dependable choice. Aortic valve replacement (AVR) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) are among the most established operations in cardiac surgery. CritiCare Asia Hospitals is a heart hospital in Mumbai where valve decisions are made carefully and together with the family. Our team recommends heart valve replacement in Malad, Mumbai, to protect heart function and prevent complications.
Symptoms to Watch For
- Breathlessness during everyday tasks
- Fatigue that does not ease with rest
- Chest discomfort, particularly on exertion
When these symptoms interfere with daily life, or imaging shows significant deterioration of the valve, surgical correction is usually recommended. The best cardiologists in Malad, Mumbai at CritiCare Asia Hospitals review your symptoms and test results to guide the next step.
Decisions Made Together with the Family
Valve surgery affects the whole household, from caring for the patient in hospital to managing medicines at home. For families in Malad, a hospital close by makes visits and follow-up checks more practical. Relatives are included in discussions about the type of valve, the recovery period and the blood-thinning routine, so everyone at home knows what lies ahead.
Conditions That Require Surgical Intervention
- Valve stenosis
a narrowed valve restricts blood flow and forces the heart to work harder - Valve regurgitation
a valve that does not close fully lets blood leak backward
Left to progress, either condition strains the heart over time.
AVR vs MVR: A Quick Distinction
AVR addresses the valve that controls blood flowing from the heart into the body's main artery. MVR addresses the valve between the heart's left chambers, where leaking is more common than narrowing. Indications differ a little, yet the principle is shared: replace what can no longer function safely.
When Repair Is Not Viable
Surgeons attempt repair first wherever the valve structure allows, since preserving the patient's own tissue is almost always better. Severe calcification, extensive tissue damage, or a valve too deformed to reconstruct reliably points towards replacement. Age, the valve involved, and the stage of the disease all play a part, and the decision follows a thorough evaluation.
Recovery After AVR / MVR Surgery
Hospital stays are longer than for catheter-based procedures because this is open surgery. Patients are closely monitored in the early days and then gradually mobilised. Anticoagulation, or blood thinning, becomes part of recovery for many, particularly with mechanical valves, and regular blood tests keep levels in the safe range. The treating cardiologist decides the medicine and dose. Cardiac rehabilitation often follows, offering supervised exercise and support as strength returns.
Treatment Approach: Valve Types and the Procedure
- Mechanical valves are durable, often lasting decades, but require lifelong blood thinners
- Tissue (bioprosthetic) valves avoid lifelong anticoagulation but tend to wear out sooner, sometimes needing replacement after ten to fifteen years
Younger patients often prefer mechanical valves for longevity, while older patients or those who want to avoid long-term anticoagulation may choose tissue valves. Lifestyle, age, and other health conditions are weighed together.
MVR and AVR surgery in Malad, Mumbai is performed as open-heart surgery, typically with a sternotomy and a heart-lung bypass machine that circulates blood while the heart is temporarily stopped. The damaged valve is removed, and the replacement is sutured carefully into place. After function is confirmed, the heart is restarted, and the chest closed. This is longer and more involved than catheter-based alternatives, yet it remains the standard approach for many patients, especially where transcatheter options do not suit.
AVR / MVR Treatment at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Malad
Choosing to repair or replace a valve is never based on one test. Our evaluation covers echocardiography, cardiac catheterisation where required, and an honest look at whether the valve can be repaired before replacement is considered. Repair is favoured when anatomy allows, because native tissue avoids the long-term trade-offs of an artificial valve. Our cardiac surgical team treats aortic valve replacement in Malad, Mumbai as a decision made with the patient and family, with every option laid out with its real trade-offs. Since the first weeks after valve surgery carry the highest risk of complications, recovery is tracked closely. Detailed pre-surgical evaluation includes echocardiography, catheterisation and an overall fitness assessment.