valvotomy /val·vot·o·my/ (val-vot´ah-me) incision of a valve.
valvotomy
val·vot·o·my (v l-v t  -m )n. 1. The surgical cutting of a constricted cardiac valve to relieve obstruction. Also called valvulotomy. 2. An incision into a valvular structure. |
valvotomy
[valvot′əmē]
Etymology: L, valva + Gk, temnein, to cut
the incision into a valve, especially one in the heart, to correct a defect and allow proper opening and closure. Before surgery a cardiac catheterization is performed. With the patient under general anesthesia, the damaged valve is repaired, if possible, or removed. A prosthetic or biologic valve suture is put in its place. Complications peculiar to prosthetic valve surgery are displacement of the valve caused by broken sutures, heart block, leakage and regurgitation from chamber to chamber, infection, and embolus.
valvotomy
incision of a valve.
How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|