It is important that an echocardiogram be obtained approximately 6 to 12 weeks after your surgery to obtain a baseline performance of your new prosthetic heart valve. This echo will provide baseline data for comparison against any future changes. Should any problems develop with a prosthetic heart valve, an echo test is the best and most readily available method of diagnosing an abnormality. Often a comparison with the baseline echo will be valuable for early diagnosis. If your doctor has not referred you for a baseline echo, be sure to ask if such a test would be desirable for you.
Problems are rare following heart valve surgery but sometimes do occur.
You need to be aware of certain signs and symptoms that require immediate attention. If caught early, potential problems often can be easily corrected. These medications work by prolonging the time it takes for your blood to clot. Your doctor will prescribe a dose to keep the pro-time or INR within certain parameters. The medication is usually taken once daily.