Professor Bernardo VidneHead of the Institute of Pediatric Cardiology
Alongside classical surgical methods, doctors are actively developing options for heart valve replacement in Israel using non-surgical minimally invasive techniques. Relying on the latest progressive technological solutions, local surgeons have made significant advances in the implementation of minimally traumatic procedures for revision and heart valve prosthetics in clinical practice.
Unique devices are used here to expand the stenotic valve and meticulously perform the valve replacement. Mechanical prostheses, bioimplants, and homografts are utilized. They assist patients with high risk and severe symptoms of stenosis. On our website, you can read about the procedures practiced in Israeli thoracic centers, medical news, and reviews of heart valve replacements in Israel from real patients.
Indications for Revision or Prosthetics
The human heart muscle works on the principle of a pump. It is an organ whose main task is to maintain a constant flow of blood in the body without stopping for a minute. Proper contraction and optimal pressure are maintained by four valves:
- mitral;
- tricuspid;
- aortic;
- pulmonary.
Most often, replacement is required for the aortic and mitral heart valves. Israeli doctors do not prescribe heart valve prosthetics in all cases. The basis for intervention is functional failures in the operation of one of the heart valves, leading to significant blood supply disturbances – in cases where the problem cannot be solved by other methods.
Options for Heart Valve Replacement Practiced in Medical Centers in Israel
The development of therapeutic tactics is based on thorough diagnostics. The doctor conducts a physical examination and collects complaints, studies the results of chest X-rays, laboratory blood and urine tests.
In almost 99% of cases, the preliminary diagnosis is confirmed during the echocardiogram (heart ultrasound). Additional tests are necessary to clarify the details and characteristics specific to the patient.
Aortic Valve Prosthetics
Gentle reconstructive valve-sparing surgical interventions are generally advisable in the treatment of children and adolescents – in cases where it is technically possible to restore optimal valve mobility. If it is impossible to restore natural functionality, Israeli surgeons resort to valve replacement.
- After the open surgical procedure, the patient is monitored in the intensive care unit for 1-2 days.
- The total duration of hospitalization is 10-14 days.
- Typically, full recovery requires 6-8 weeks.
The procedure for prosthetics with an artificial implant was developed in 1960. Today, such heart valve replacement in Israeli clinics is considered the standard of surgical therapy. In modern Israeli thoracic medicine, the following are practiced:
- classical open surgical interventions with the connection of a heart-lung machine;
- the latest minimally invasive valve replacement procedures, which are performed without opening the chest.
Mechanical Prostheses
Israeli surgeons use the most modern mechanical implants made from very durable and wear-resistant materials – most often from carbon. Depending on the design type, a mechanical prosthesis can be either monoleaflet or bileaflet.
Carbon implants have no time limitations on service life and are extremely easy to manufacture and operate. After the procedure, patients must continuously take special medications due to the increased risk of thrombosis.
Heart Valve Replacement with Bioprostheses
A modern alternative to mechanical implants are artificial valves made from the tissue of warm-blooded animals. In medicine, fragments of pericardium or a whole heart valve from an animal are used.
During special processing, the genetic material of the animal tissue is destroyed, and the human body does not reject the artificial organ. Additionally, bioimplants undergo decalcification, preventing calcium deposits and increasing service life.
In modern Israeli surgery, two types of heart valve bioimplants are used:
- A bioprosthesis sewn onto a special frame that maintains the necessary shape of the valve (stent). It features a simple installation technique. After the operation, the patient needs to take anticoagulants for only three months. The service life of the bioprosthesis depends on the person's immune system.
- An artificial biological valve of stentless design. This type of implant is most similar to the human heart valve. It is suitable for installation in cases of small aortic sizes. After the operation, there is no need to take anticoagulants.
Vascular Valve Homografts
A homograft or allograft is a valve obtained from a human donor. This type of transplant is most often used in cases of severe infection of the aortic root valve. A homograft (allograft) can consist of specially processed human tissues partially or completely.
Minimally Invasive Methods for Treating and Replacing Heart Valves
Alongside classical surgical approaches, Israeli surgeons actively practice the latest technological techniques for heart valve replacement. Several progressive technologies are used here, such as:
- Laparoscopic access surgery, which involves medical robotic assistants;
- Transcatheter implantation of arterial valve prostheses (TAVI or TAVR). Performed by Israeli surgeons since 2008. Using catheter access, they make corrections for aortic valve stenosis, replace mitral valves, and functional areas of the pulmonary arteries.
- Valvuloplasty – a type of catheter balloon implantation.
Procedures are constantly being improved and developed. Scientists are actively experimenting with prosthesis designs and surgical techniques.
Cost of Valve Replacement in Israel
Patients recommended for surgical treatment are often concerned about how much heart valve replacement costs in Israel. In each program, the calculation is made individually, and the chosen type of procedure primarily affects the costs.
When performing open classical surgery and minimally invasive intervention, the price of heart valve replacement in Israel will differ significantly. The total amount is also influenced by the type of prosthesis, material, and manufacturer. The qualifications of the operating thoracic surgeon, their reputation, the number of operations performed, workload, the location of the medical center, the equipment of the operating rooms, and many other factors are also of great importance.
However, even considering all procedures, flights, and accommodation, surgeries in Israeli clinics are the most financially accessible compared to treatment in European or American hospitals.
- Congenital heart defect
- Hypertrophy
- Heart failure
>Advantages of Performing Revisions and Replacements of Heart Valves in Israeli Hospitals
- Thanks to the high qualifications of thoracic surgeons, the use of the latest therapeutic approaches and equipment, Israeli surgical centers work with high precision and minimal complications on any of the functional heart valves.
- Israeli doctors have gained extensive practical experience in performing various types of surgeries for replacing functional elements of the pericardium. Complete restoration of heart muscle functionality and resumption of optimal blood flow.
- Local surgeons have achieved some of the lowest postoperative complication rates in Europe.
Israeli doctors pay great attention to postoperative rehabilitation. Effective recovery programs have been developed here, including many procedures and manipulations – from individually designed diets to carefully thought-out physical activity systems.