Useful information for patients

Here you'll find answers to the questions patients ask most often: how to prepare for a consultation and surgery, which documents to bring, and what to expect after discharge.

What to bring to the consultation

• Discharge summaries and reports from previous doctors
• Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) — the report and, if available, a recording of the exam
• Coronary angiography or CT angiography on disc
• Recent blood tests, ECG
• A list of the medications you take, with dosages

Preparing for surgery

• A comprehensive workup and risk assessment before hospital admission
• Stopping smoking at least two weeks in advance — this noticeably lowers the risk of pulmonary complications
• Coordinating any blood-thinning medication with your physician
• Dental check-up: an untreated tooth is a source of infection for a valve prosthesis
• An individual treatment plan is discussed with the patient before the procedure

After surgery

• The first few days are spent under observation in intensive care
• Breathing exercises and early mobilisation begin already in hospital
• Return to everyday activity — usually within a few weeks
• Full recovery takes several months
• Follow-up check-ups and echocardiograms on the schedule set by your doctor

When to seek urgent care

• Pressing or burning chest pain radiating to the arm, neck or jaw
• Shortness of breath at rest, or a sharp drop in exercise tolerance
• Fainting or episodes of loss of consciousness
• Leg swelling that worsens rapidly over a few days
• Fever, redness or discharge around the surgical incision

The information on this page is for reference only and does not replace an in-person consultation. Diagnosis and treatment strategy are determined by a physician after examination.