Heart valve replacement with a prosthetic valve for a patient with heart valve narrowing (stenosis) and heart valve leaking (insufficiency)

Valvular problems commonly caused by rheumatic fever and congenital heart defects; may also be caused by heart failure and infective endocarditis

To prevent the occurrence, or worsening, of heart failure in children with valvular stenosis or insufficiency and severe, unmanageable symptoms

Whenever the situation permits, arrange for the child and his parents to visit the health care facility before he’s admitted for surgery. This visit should include seeing and touching the equipment that will be used in the postoperative period.

Provide an age-appropriate explanation of why the surgery is being performed, and encourage the child and his parents to ask questions.

Reassure the child that he won’t wake up during surgery, but that the physician knows how and when to wake him up afterward.