My aunt was admitted to the hospital and they found swelling around her heart and lungs a week ago. She was transferred to a different hospital today and the tests show that she has leakage in her aeortic and mitral valves. She is 72 years years old and they are recommending surgery.She also has emphysema. How soon should she have surgery? What are the risks with having the surgery or not having the surgery? Despite her smoking she is in good health. She eats a healthy diet and exercises regularly.
This condition is called aortic and mitral regurgitation these conditions definitely require surgery but considering her age and managing her routine activities without much problem u can wait and use some medicines like ACE inhibitors and also see the 2D ECHO findings basing on that also we have to decide whether she immediately requires surgery or not