When treatment for heart valve disease includes surgery, it can be traditional or minimally invasive balloon valvuloplasty.

What Happens During Traditional Heart Valve Surgery?

You’ll get medicine to help you sleep, and a surgeon will make a cut down the center of your sternum (also called your breastbone) so he can reach your heart. He’ll then repair or replace the heart valves that need it.

What Happens During Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery?

It’s done through smaller cuts. This type of surgery lowers:

• Blood loss
• Trauma
• How much time you’ll spend in the hospital

Your surgeon will review your test results first to see if you’re a candidate for this procedure.