Heart valve repair and replacement can significantly improve quality of life. At Montefiore's Comprehensive Heart Valve Repair Program, heart valve surgery is a two- to five-hour procedure that is performed using the most advanced, minimally invasive techniques. While heart valve surgery is fairly straightforward, it is important that patients adhere to the Heart Valve Repair Program's pre- and postsurgical guidelines to ensure the best results. Patients should also understand the risks associated with heart valve surgery as well as the procedure itself.
To adequately prepare for heart valve surgery, the Heart Valve Repair Program suggests that patients: