Aortic valve replacement


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Aortic valve replacement


The surgeon makes an incision in the chest

Picture of the chest incision for aortic valve replacement

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Aortic valve replacement surgery may be done as an open-heart surgery or as a less invasive surgery (where the surgeon makes smaller incisions and does not open the chest). This slideshow shows the surgery as an open-heart surgery. To replace the damaged aortic valve, the surgeon first makes an incision in the chest and cuts through the breastbone (sternum).

Credits


Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer George Philippides, MD - Cardiology
Last Updated November 14, 2007

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