Heart Valve Surgery in Thailand

Heart valve surgery may be considered when one or more heart valves are significantly narrowed, leaking or otherwise unable to function effectively.

Depending on the condition of the valve, treatment may involve repairing the existing valve or replacing it with a mechanical or biological valve.

Thailand offers specialist cardiac surgeons, advanced cardiac imaging and modern heart-surgery facilities for international patients requiring planned valve treatment.

Siam Medica can help you explore suitable providers, share cardiac records for specialist review, request personalised treatment plans and cost estimates, and coordinate care before, during and after treatment in Thailand.

What is heart valve disease?

The heart contains four valves that help control the direction of blood flow.

These are the:

• Aortic valve

• Mitral valve

• Tricuspid valve

• Pulmonary valve

Valve disease can interfere with normal circulation through the heart.

A valve may become too narrow, known as stenosis, or may fail to close properly, allowing blood to leak backwards. This is known as regurgitation.

The severity and type of valve disease determine whether monitoring, medication, catheter-based treatment or surgery may be appropriate.

When may heart valve surgery be considered?

Surgery may be considered when valve disease is severe enough to affect heart function or cause significant symptoms.

These can include:

• Shortness of breath

• Fatigue

• Reduced exercise tolerance

• Chest discomfort

• Dizziness or fainting

• Palpitations

• Swelling of the legs or ankles

Some patients with severe valve disease may be advised to undergo treatment even before major symptoms develop if testing shows that the heart is beginning to be affected.

Heart valve repair

Where possible, surgeons may be able to preserve the patient's own valve rather than replace it.

Valve repair techniques can include:

• Reshaping valve tissue

• Repairing or replacing supporting structures

• Removing excess valve tissue

• Closing holes

• Separating fused valve tissue

• Reinforcing the ring around the valve

Mitral valve disease is one condition where repair may often be considered.

The suitability of repair depends on the type and extent of valve damage and the experience of the surgical team.

Heart valve replacement

If a valve cannot be repaired effectively, replacement may be recommended.

The damaged valve is removed and replaced with an artificial valve.

The two main categories are:

Mechanical valves

Mechanical valves are made from durable artificial materials.

They can last for many years but generally require lifelong blood-thinning medication to reduce the risk of blood clots.

Biological valves

Biological or tissue valves are made using animal or human tissue.

They usually do not require the same lifelong anticoagulation as mechanical valves, although medication needs vary between patients.

Biological valves can deteriorate over time and may eventually require another procedure.

The choice depends on factors including age, lifestyle, medical history and individual preferences.

Minimally invasive heart valve surgery

Some patients may be suitable for minimally invasive valve surgery.

Instead of opening the chest through a full-length breastbone incision, surgeons may operate through smaller incisions using specialised instruments and imaging.

Minimally invasive approaches can reduce tissue disruption in suitable patients.

However, they are not appropriate for every valve condition or patient.

The surgical team should recommend the approach based on anatomy, valve disease, previous operations and overall health.

Transcatheter valve treatment

Some heart valves can also be repaired or replaced using catheter-based procedures rather than conventional surgery.

One example is transcatheter aortic valve replacement, commonly known as TAVR or TAVI.

These procedures are different from conventional heart valve surgery and are generally considered according to the patient's age, anatomy, surgical risk and type of valve disease.

A multidisciplinary heart team may be involved in deciding which approach is most appropriate.

Assessment before surgery

Patients considering valve surgery usually undergo detailed cardiac assessment.

This may include:

• Echocardiogram

• Electrocardiogram

• Blood tests

• Chest imaging

• Coronary angiography or CT imaging

• Assessment of heart function

• Evaluation of lung and kidney function

• Review of medications and medical history

International patients can often send cardiac reports, echocardiograms and imaging to providers before travelling for preliminary specialist review.

Additional investigations may still be required in Thailand before surgery.

Preparing for surgery

Before surgery, the medical team reviews the patient's general health and any conditions that could affect treatment.

Medication may need to be adjusted, particularly blood thinners and certain heart medications.

Patients may also undergo:

• Anaesthetic assessment

• Dental assessment where appropriate

• Infection screening

• Respiratory evaluation

• Rehabilitation assessment

Patients should not stop prescription medication unless instructed by the treating team.

The procedure

Conventional heart valve surgery is performed under general anaesthesia.

In open-heart surgery, the surgeon accesses the heart through the chest.

A heart-lung bypass machine may temporarily support circulation while the valve is repaired or replaced.

The exact surgical technique depends on:

• Which valve is affected

• Whether repair or replacement is planned

• Whether other cardiac procedures are needed

• The patient's anatomy and medical condition

Some valve procedures can be performed using minimally invasive or endoscopic techniques.

Hospital stay and early recovery

Heart valve surgery normally requires several days of inpatient monitoring.

Patients usually spend an initial period in a critical-care environment before moving to a standard cardiac ward.

During the hospital stay, the care team monitors:

• Heart rhythm

• Blood pressure

• Breathing

• Surgical wounds

• Fluid balance

• Pain control

• Mobility

Patients are usually encouraged to begin sitting, standing and walking progressively as their condition allows.

A typical planned surgical admission may involve around one week in hospital, although individual stays can be longer.

Recovery after heart valve surgery

Recovery continues after leaving hospital.

Patients gradually increase walking and everyday activity while the chest and cardiovascular system recover.

A cardiac rehabilitation programme may be recommended.

Recovery time depends on:

• Open or minimally invasive surgery

• Type of valve procedure

• Age

• General health

• Other medical conditions

• Development of complications

Patients should follow the cardiac team's advice regarding driving, exercise, lifting and returning to work.

International patients should also obtain medical clearance before long-distance air travel.

Medication after valve surgery

Medication requirements depend on the type of surgery and valve used.

Patients with a mechanical replacement valve generally require long-term anticoagulant medication.

Other patients may require medication for a shorter period.

Treatment may also include medicines for:

• Heart rhythm

• Blood pressure

• Fluid management

• Cholesterol

• Other cardiovascular conditions

Medication should not be changed or discontinued without advice from the treating cardiologist.

Risks and considerations

Heart valve surgery is major cardiac surgery and involves potential risks.

These can include:

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Blood clots

• Abnormal heart rhythms

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Kidney complications

• Breathing problems

• Valve dysfunction

• Need for a pacemaker

• Complications related to anaesthesia

• Need for additional treatment

Individual risk depends on the valve condition, age, heart function, general health and complexity of surgery.

The cardiac team should explain the expected benefits, alternatives and individual risks before treatment is confirmed.

Heart valve surgery costs in Thailand

The cost of heart valve surgery in Thailand varies according to the type of valve disease and surgical approach.

A broad indicative range is approximately US$29,000–50,000 or more.

Factors affecting the total cost can include:

• Valve repair or replacement

• Mechanical or biological replacement valve

• Open or minimally invasive surgery

• Number of valves treated

• Cardiac imaging and investigations

• Surgeon and anaesthesia fees

• Critical-care requirements

• Length of hospital stay

• Medication

• Other cardiac procedures performed at the same time

Complex valve surgery or advanced minimally invasive techniques may cost more than a straightforward single-valve procedure.

Siam Medica can request personalised treatment plans and cost estimates from suitable providers after review of your cardiac records and imaging.

How Siam Medica can help

We can help you:

• Identify suitable cardiac surgeons and heart-care providers

• Share cardiac reports and imaging with providers

• Request preliminary specialist review

• Request personalised treatment plans and cost estimates

• Compare proposed treatment approaches

• Coordinate consultations, investigations and surgery

• Assist with recovery and travel planning

• Support communication with your provider before, during and after treatment

Our support is free for patients, and Siam Medica is independent of any single hospital or clinic.