Four major valves are found in the heart (mitral, aortic, tricuspid, pulmonary) and all must be functioning properly in order to maintain adequate as well as direction of blood flow. The most commonly replaced valves in the heart or the mitral and aortic valves. Heart valve replacement surgery is a surgical procedure that replaces heart valves that have narrowed and obstructed blood flow into or out of the heart due to a multitude of factors. This type of surgery also helps to replace leaky or malfunctioning valves within the heart muscle.

Heart valve replacement procedures may be categorized under open-heart surgery, minimally invasive valve surgery and valvuloplasty. Open-heart valve replacement surgery requires the heart be exposed in an operating room. Minimally invasive heart surgery is performed through smaller incisions made on the side of the chest rather than through the sternum, most often for mitral valve repair or replacement, aortic valve repair or replacement and tricuspid valve repair or replacement

Heart valve replacement or repair in the United States costs an average of $25,000 per valve. Mitral valve replacement may cost around $14,000 to $20,000, depending on hospital or surgical center location. Many patients undergoing multiple valve replacement surgical procedures may expect to pay up to $100,000 for such services.

Medical travelers to India enjoy the same quality of service at greater savings, with single valve replacements generally costing around $9,500 and double valve replacements costing around $11,500.

PlacidWay, a major medical provider and resource, profiles  qualified, accredited and excellent cardiac surgeons and heart care facilities abroad.