Heart and Vascular Care
Heart valve surgery in San Diego
Specializing in treatment of heart valve disease.
Your heart has four valves — mitral, tricuspid, aortic and pulmonary — which ensure that blood flows in only one direction through the heart. Heart valve disease occurs when one or more heart valves do not work correctly, which can damage your heart over time.
At Sharp, we specialize in the surgical treatment of heart valve disease. Our expert caregivers use advanced technology — including the latest minimally invasive approaches — to perform heart valve repairs and replacements of mitral, aortic valve and tricuspid valves.
Our expert care team is here for you.
Our robust team of internationally renowned health care professionals — including cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, nurses and board-certified pulmonologists and intensivists — will care for you before surgery through rehabilitation and recovery.
Advanced heart valve care you can count on.
At Sharp, we specialize in advanced cardiac care, including:
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- Heart transplant
- Heart valve disease
- Mechanical circulatory support
Our expert surgeons perform more than 100 heart valve repair and replacement surgeries each year, with most receiving heart valve repair surgery.
Treatments for heart valve disease include drug therapy, heart valve repair surgery and heart valve replacement surgery. At Sharp, we provide the following surgical options for heart valve surgery:
- Aortic valve surgery
- Hybrid maze
- Maze
- Mini maze
- MitraClip®
- Mitral valve repair
- Mitral valve surgery
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement therapy
Frequently asked questions
Read our frequently asked questions to learn more about minimally invasive heart valve surgery, which is offered at Sharp Memorial Hospital and Sharp Grossmont Hospital.
Is heart valve surgery right for me?
Depending on the type and severity of your heart valve disease and your age and overall health, surgery can be a great option. Our multidisciplinary team — including cardiologists, heart surgeons, intensivists, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation therapists and dietitians — will tailor a treatment specific to your condition.
Aren't there medications I can take to avoid surgery?
Medications are available to help avoid further damage to heart valves, and may help in the beginning stages of valve disease but can become less effective as the disease progresses. Surgery is often most effective when performed before symptoms even begin.
What if I don't choose surgery?
Most valve disease will progress and eventually require surgery. In the early stages of the disease, you may be able to manage your symptoms with medications, but surgery is the most effective treatment.
How will I feel after surgery?
We offer minimally invasive valve surgery options that require smaller incisions, less downtime and less discomfort after surgery.
How long will my valve last?
The longevity of your valve repair or replacement will depend on several factors: your health at the time of surgery, the type of surgical treatment you undergo and how well you take care of yourself after the surgery. In a few patients, valve repair does not stop the progression of valve disease and further surgery may be necessary. Mechanical valves rarely wear out, but occasionally they may need to be replaced if a blood clot, infection or a growth of tissue interferes with their function. Biological valves may wear out and need to be replaced, particularly when they are implanted in younger patients.
Are there any risks of major complications from the surgery?
At Sharp Memorial Hospital, our experienced team performs more than 100 heart valve surgeries each year, but even in the most experienced hands there are risks involved with any type of surgery. Your surgical risks are related to your age, the presence of other medical conditions and the number of procedures you undergo during a single operation. It's best to ask your doctor about your particular risks before deciding to undergo surgery.
Will I need to take blood thinners (anticoagulant medications) after surgery?
The need for anticoagulant medications after surgery varies from patient to patient. Patients receiving a mechanical heart valve must take anticoagulants for the rest of their lives. Patients receiving biological valves may only need to take anticoagulants for several weeks after surgery, or they may not need to take them at all.
However, other conditions associated with valve disease are also sometimes treated with anticoagulants. These conditions include an enlarged heart, irregular heartbeats, a weakened heart and a history of blood clots. Because anticoagulant medications delay clotting time, patients with bleeding problems, such as ulcers, may need to be especially careful when taking these medications. Moderate to heavy bleeding from any cause also needs to be taken seriously and treated promptly. Also, alcohol consumption and dietary factors can affect how well the medication works. Many patients are required to change their eating habits and may need to follow very restricted diets.
Anticoagulant therapy requires taking a pill once a day without fail — and periodically having a blood test, usually at least once a month. These medications have few, if any, side effects, protect against heart attack and stroke and generally do not disrupt the lives of the patients who take them.
Learn more.
To learn more about our services or to find a cardiovascular disease specialist, interventional cardiologist or cardiovascular surgeon who is right for you, call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm.

Learn about different treatment options for heart valve disease at this free physician-led virtual presentation.

Sharp-affiliated cardiovascular experts lead this free seminar on atrial fibrillation.
We'll help find the doctor who's right for you.
View doctors specializing in cardiovascular surgery in San Diego.
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Call 1-800-827-4277 or view our detailed phone directory.
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