Aortic Valve Insufficiency and How It is Treated in Germany
Aortic insufficiency is an acquired pathology of this heart valve in which it improperly controls the physiological flow of blood from the left ventricle to the aorta. Despite being asymptomatic for many years, this heart disease progresses over time and requires treatment. Mild aortic insufficiency can be successfully compensated with the help of medications, and more severe forms of the pathology require a surgical intervention. In Germany, such interventions are minimally invasive and sparing.
When to see a doctor?
Symptomatology of progressive aortic insufficiency may include pulsation in the head and neck region, accelerated heartbeat, which is associated with high pulse pressure and increased cardiac output. Tachycardia is typical for aortic insufficiency, and is subjectively perceived by patients as palpitations.
With severe valve defect and a large volume of regurgitation, there are symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, vision disorders, and transient fainting (especially when standing up).
Later on, angina, arrhythmia, shortness of breath, and increased sweating occur. At the early stages of aortic insufficiency, these sensations arise mainly with physical load, but later they occur even at rest.
If you experience some symptoms, seeing your general practitioner is reasonable. Instrumental examination is required for distinguishing aortic regurgitation from aortic stenosis and other heart pathologies.
Treatment of aortic valve insufficiency in Germany
The treatment for aortic insufficiency in Germany directly depends on the severity of the valve disease. At the early stages, people with mild insufficiency require only active surveillance. The patient needs to see a cardiologist regularly and follow the doctor’s recommendations regarding lifestyle and medications intake.
Moderate aortic insufficiency requires medication therapy. The patient is receives diuretics (to prevent edema and congestion in the lungs), ACE inhibitors (to inhibit the production of substances that contribute to the development of arterial hypertension), and calcium channel blockers (to help to reduce the load on the heart and improve coronary blood flow). Digitalis glycosides are indicated to people with congestive heart failure against the background of aortic regurgitation.
Open surgical valve replacement lasts about 2 hours. This procedure for the aortic valve replacement requires the use of the heart-lung machine. A surgeon replaces the affected valve with a mechanical or biological prosthesis.
The replacement surgery can be also performed in a minimally invasive way. The transcatheter aortic valve replacement is the optimal method for high-risk patients since it has the same efficacy but it is safer than the open surgical replacement. The results of recent studies show that long-term results of the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are comparable with the outcomes of open surgery.
Post-surgical period is associated with a high risk of complications, particularly thromboembolism. For this reason, anticoagulants are prescribed for people who have undergone surgical aortic valve replacement.
After the surgical treatment of this cardiovascular disease patients should visit a cardiologist regularly.
How to undergo treatment for aortic insufficiency abroad?
The quickest and safest way to undergo treatment abroad, especially during a COVID-19 lockdown, is to contact the international medical tourism provider – Booking Health. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has brought new rules and restrictions, having professional guidance will make treatment stress-free.
The medical tourism company Booking Health is known for its responsibility and professional approach to the treatment organization. This means cooperation with the leading German healthcare facilities and cardiac surgeons, individual diagnostics and treatment programs, and comprehensive rehabilitation.
As a rule, the patient receives several alternative therapeutic programs and detailed information about European heart centers.
You can check the available hospitals for the treatment of aortic valve insufficiency in Germany on the Booking Health website. Also, feel free to leave a request to start the treatment now.
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