What to Know When Facing a Living Allogenic Valve Replacement
Living allogenic valve replacement is an innovative surgery for children with severe valve disease; it may prevent the need for children to have multiple valve replacement surgeries.
What is Living Allogenic Valve Replacement?
Living allogenic valve replacement (also sometimes called partial heart transplant) replaces a diseased valve with a living valve from a donor heart. We expect the new valve to grow with the child, with the potential to last a long time, maybe even a lifetime.
Patients must take anti-rejection medicine after the surgery. Within three to six months of surgery, most children who receive an allogenic valve only need to take one anti-rejection medicine, minimizing the risk of side effects.
Is Living Allogenic Valve Replacement a Good Option for Your Child?
Our experienced pediatric heart specialists offer an in-person evaluation to decide if living allogenic valve replacement is right for your child. This evaluation includes:
- Reviewing your child’s medical history and any current imaging
- Discussing treatment options
- Recommending additional tests, such as an echocardiogram, when needed
We also offer telehealth appointments for families who don’t live within easy driving distance of Greater Cincinnati. These appointments provide an opportunity for you to discuss the surgery with one (or more) of our physicians. Afterward, you can decide whether to schedule an in-person evaluation for your child.
Surgery Timing and Next Steps
If valve replacement is needed and you would like to be evaluated for a living allogenic valve, we’ll schedule your evaluation as soon as possible. However, living allogenic valves come from donor hearts, and availability can vary. When a valve becomes available, we’ll want to admit your child to the hospital for surgery within a couple days.
While we wait for a donor valve, your child will continue regular care with their cardiologist, and we will monitor their progress. If your child’s health changes before surgery and a living valve isn’t available, we’ll consider traditional valve options based on what’s best for your child.
We’re here to support your family and answer any questions you may have throughout the process.
