Klappenbehandlungen

Klappenbehandlungen, also known as valve treatments, refer to medical procedures aimed at correcting or replacing faulty heart valves. The heart has four valves: the aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid valves, which ensure blood flows in the correct direction through the heart chambers. When these valves malfunction, they can cause serious health problems, leading to conditions like heart failure, stroke, and shortness of breath.

There are two primary approaches to Klappenbehandlungen: surgical and transcatheter. Surgical valve repair or replacement, often referred to as open-heart surgery, involves a surgeon directly accessing and working on the damaged valve. Valve repair attempts to restore the valve's normal function, while valve replacement involves substituting the diseased valve with an artificial or biological prosthesis.

Transcatheter valve interventions represent a less invasive alternative. These procedures, such as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) or Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (TMVr), utilize catheters inserted through blood vessels to deliver and deploy new valves or repair devices. These methods are often chosen for patients who are at high risk for traditional surgery or who are seeking faster recovery times.

The choice of Klappenbehandlung depends on various factors, including the patient's overall health, the specific valve affected, the severity of the dysfunction, and the presence of other medical conditions. Both surgical and transcatheter approaches have demonstrated effectiveness in improving the quality of life and survival rates for individuals with valvular heart disease. Ongoing research continues to refine existing techniques and develop new, even less invasive treatment options.