Professor Oz ShapiraHead of the cardiothoracic department of the clinic
Aortic valve replacement in clinics in Israel is performed using the most modern approaches. First, the patient undergoes expedited examinations on high-precision equipment. In just three to four days, the team of doctors analyzes the diagnostic data and selects the optimal type of valve implantation.
Specialists at the Top Ichilov Medical Center have extensive experience in performing such surgical interventions. Experts widely use minimally invasive surgical techniques, minimizing various operational risks and complications. Every year, thousands of patients from Ukraine, Russia, other former Soviet republics, as well as from distant countries such as the USA, Germany, and Canada, turn to our cardiac surgeons.
Indications for Surgical Interventions
The main indications for the operation are valve insufficiency or stenosis. In the first case, regurgitation occurs, meaning there is a backflow of blood into the left ventricle, which causes symptoms such as frequent dizziness and angina-like pain. In the second case, there is a pathological narrowing of the vascular lumen through which blood flows near the valve. The symptoms are roughly the same — patients complain of dizziness, headaches, pressing pain behind the sternum, and shortness of breath.
Both stenosis and insufficiency can be treated conservatively in the early stages — patients are prescribed medications from the beta-blocker group, cardiac glycosides, and other drugs. If the desired effect is not achieved with their help, doctors recommend performing valve replacement surgery.
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Methods of Performing Surgeries
The Top Ichilov clinic offers a full range of modern types of valve implantation surgeries. Various types of valves are used — made from natural tissues (homografts, autografts, xenografts, etc.) or artificial materials.
Classic Replacement Option
The intervention is performed using sternotomy — the chest is opened along the sternum. The patient is under general anesthesia and connected to a cardiopulmonary bypass machine (CPB). The surgeon incises the pericardium (the outer layer of the heart), places cannulas through which blood flow will go to the CPB and back during the operation, and then stops the heart. The pathological valve is then removed: the surgeon determines the diameter of the aortic lumen and selects a valve of the appropriate size. The valve is fixed in place using sutures.
Once the valve is in place, the patient is positioned in the so-called Trendelenburg position — lying horizontally at a 45-degree angle, with the legs elevated above the head. The surgeon restarts the heart and disconnects the patient from the CPB. After this, transesophageal echocardiography is usually performed through the esophagus. Using an ultrasound probe, the doctor determines how well the new valve is functioning.
After the operation, the patient remains in the intensive care unit for up to one and a half days (usually less), and then spends another four to seven days in a regular ward. Full recovery occurs several weeks later, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally invasive valve implantation is performed through a smaller incision. It is approximately 6-8 cm long and can be made in the sternum, to the right of the sternum, or in the intercostal space. Endoscopic equipment is used during the operation. Overall, minimally invasive surgeries are tolerated more easily by patients than classic ones.
Transcatheter Implantation
The most popular type of intervention, especially among older patients, is transcatheter implantation. This type of surgery is referred to by the abbreviation TAVR or TAVI. In this implantation, the old valve is not removed — the new one is placed directly inside it. The artificial valves used for transcatheter implantation are initially folded at the end of the catheter. The catheter is delivered to the heart through a small incision in the artery under the control of transthoracic echocardiography. After being fixed in the lumen, the artificial valve unfolds and is securely fixed within the old valve. This operation, unlike other types of implantation, can be used to treat patients over 75 years old.
There are several models of artificial valves used in transcatheter implantation. Some are made from polymer materials and nitinol mesh, while others are made from natural tissues secured to a titanium frame.
Reviews of aortic valve replacement in Israel, which can be found in numerous open sources, confirm the high level of qualification of Israeli cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiology specialists, as well as the good equipping of clinics with modern high-tech equipment.
How Much Does Aortic Valve Replacement Cost in Israel
The cost of aortic valve replacement in Israel is considered quite affordable by citizens of the United States and the European Union, as well as residents of Russia, Ukraine, and other former CIS countries. For example, patients from Canada or Germany can save at least 30-45% of their personal budget. This fact attracts many citizens from other countries to the clinics of the country — year after year, the flow of foreign tourists needing valve replacement only increases.
- Aortic stenosis
- Heart failure
Advantages of Valve Replacement at the Top Ichilov Clinic
- The medical center employs specialists with extensive clinical experience. Many of our doctors have undergone advanced training at leading world cardiology clinics and are well-known in the international professional community.
- Before selecting the type of valve replacement, doctors direct the patient to a comprehensive examination. The diagnostics are conducted on modern equipment, take several days, and allow for the selection of the optimal implantation method.
- The clinic performs all types of implantation — both conventional interventions using CPB and innovative surgeries with transcatheter access. The clinic's doctors install modern valve models that serve their owners for a very long time.
- The clinic's international department provides all possible assistance to foreign patients. A personally assigned coordinator coordinates the doctors, translates your medical documentation, and helps with any everyday issues.
- The price of aortic valve replacement in Israel is lower than in most Western countries. The clinic will provide you with qualified medical services, and you will be able to save money.