Valve Repair and Replacement
in the Elderly
Aortic
valve disease (AVD) is a growing problem for the
geriatric population. Because of the specialized
expertise of Presybterian's cardiologists, surgeons,
geriatric specialists, rehabilitation medicine
specialists, our team is able to admit and successfully
treat patients that many hospitals reject. Our
capabilities, resources, and experience in repairing
and replacing valves have positioned us as the
leader for valve surgery for the elderly in the
Delaware Valley.
Our aortic valve replacement success rate is
high - between 80 percent and 90 percent - for
the geriatric population. You man be a candidate
for aortic valve replacement surgery if you:
- have not been physically compromised by prior
major illness, such as stroke, kidney failure,
or heart, liver or lung disease
- are neurologically intact and able to cooperate
with post-operative recovery routines
The surgical technique for an aortic valve replacement
is standard open-heart surgery. The life expectancy
of the tissue valve is between 10 and 15 years.
Penn Cardiac Care physicians provide complete
post-operative care. Because geriatric patients
are at risk during the post-operative period for
heart attack, heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmia,
patients are closely monitored in the state-of-the-art
cardiac ICU for approximately 24 hours following
surgery.
Surgeons
Clark
W. Hargrove III, MD
Rohinton
Morris, MD
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