How Much Does Heart Valve Replacement Surgery Cost In South Africa

The valves prevent the backward flow of blood. These valves are actual flaps that are located on each end of the two ventricles (lower chambers of the heart). They act as one-way inlets of blood on one side of a ventricle and one-way outlets of blood on the other side of a ventricle.

How Much Does Heart Valve Replacement Surgery Cost In South Africa

Existing heart valves were mainly made from animal tissue and imported, meaning they were unaffordable for most public-sector patients. Those inserted through open-heart surgery cost about R20 000. Catheter-based valves cost about R300 000 in the private sector without hospital and procedure fees.

How much does heart surgery cost in South Africa?

The cost of surgical treatment seems to be lower than that of medical treatment, at least in South Africa.

The total cost of a bypass operation is approximately R100 000, while the total cost of angina medication over a ten-year period exceeds this amount. When can coronary bypass surgery save a life?

How serious is a heart valve replacement surgery?

An aortic valve replacement is a major operation and occasionally the complications can be fatal.

Overall, the risk of dying as a result of the procedure is estimated to be 2%. But this risk is far lower than the risk associated with leaving the severe aortic disease untreated.

Who is the best cardiologist in South Africa?

Dr. Pieter Blomerus. Cardiologist

Dr. Ao Adeyemo. Cardiologist

Dr. C J Van Wyk. Cardiologist

Dr. Chevaan Hendrickse. Cardiologist

Dr. N Hendricks. Cardiologist.

Dr. Jeff King. Cardiologist.

Dr. Nico Daniel Van Der Merwe. Cardiologist.

Dr. Jean Vorster. Cardiologist.

Which heart valve lasts longest?

Manufactured Mechanical Valve

They are the most long-lasting type of replacement valve.

Most will last throughout a patient’s life. Patients who receive a manufactured valve will almost always require a blood-thinning medication for the rest of their lives.

How long does a heart valve replacement operation take?

The surgery will take at least two hours or longer, depending upon the number of valves that need to be repaired or replaced.

You will wake up in the recovery room or an intensive care unit (ICU). You will stay in the hospital for about a week.

How many times can a heart valve be replaced?

Sometimes, a patient’s own tissue can be used for valve replacement (called an autograft).

Patients with biological valves usually do not need to take blood-thinning medicines.

These valves are not as strong as mechanical valves, though, and they may need to be replaced every 10 years or so.