What Is the Ozaki Procedure?
The Ozaki procedure is an innovative alternative technique for aortic valve replacement using tissue from the sac around your heart (autologous pericardium).
The aortic valve separates your heart's lower left chamber from your aorta. If the valve isn't working as it should, it can disrupt blood flow to your heart and through your body.
The Ozaki aortic valve replacement aims to replace your non-working valve with a new one using your own tissue.
Who invented the Ozaki procedure?
The Ozaki procedure is named after Dr. Shigeyuki Ozaki, the Japanese heart surgeon who developed the procedure.
Conditions we treat with the Ozaki procedure
The surgeons at UPMC Heart and Vascular can treat the following aortic valve diseases with the Ozaki aortic valve replacement method:
- Aortic valve stenosis — A condition in which your valve doesn't open wide enough to allow for proper blood flow.
- Aortic valve regurgitation — A condition in which blood leaks backward from the aorta, causing it to flow in two directions.
- Bicuspid aortic valve — An congenital condition in which the valve may not close correctly, causing blood to flow backward into the heart.
Why Would I Need Ozaki Aortic Valve Replacement?
You may need Ozaki aortic valve replacement if your aortic valve is not working properly.
Who’s a candidate for Ozaki aortic valve replacement?
People with aortic valve disease who haven't had prior open-heart surgery are potential candidates for the Ozaki aortic valve replacement procedure.
Alternatives to Ozaki aortic valve replacement
- Open-heart surgery which involves opening the chest bone.
- Catheter-based minimally invasive surgery using catheters inserted in the groin or wrist area.
What Are the Risks and Complications of Ozaki Aortic Valve Replacement?
Risks of the Ozaki aortic valve replacement technique are like the risks of other aortic valve replacement procedures and include:
- Bleeding.
- Blood clots.
- Infection.
- Irregular heart rhythms.
What Should I Expect from Ozaki Aortic Valve Replacement?
If the Ozaki aortic valve replacement procedure is a treatment option for you, you'll have pre-op testing. This includes noninvasive scans, like a computed tomography (CT) scan of your chest, to:
- Inspect the quality of your heart sac tissue (pericardium).
- Look at the size of the heart and blood vessels.
Before: How to prepare for Ozaki aortic valve replacement
Your doctor will explain the Ozaki aortic valve replacement procedure to you and give you a chance to ask questions. To prepare for aortic valve surgery, you should:
- Tell your doctor if you are sensitive or allergic to any medications, iodine, latex, tape, or anesthetic agents (local and general).
- Tell your doctor about all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal or other supplements you are taking.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any blood-thinning medications, aspirin, or other medications that affect blood clotting. It may be necessary to stop some of the medications prior to the procedure.
- Fast for a certain period of time prior to the procedure. Your doctor will tell you how long to fast (usually overnight).
- Have any tests that your doctor recommends. For example, your doctor may request a blood test prior to the procedure to determine how long it takes your blood to clot.
On the day of your procedure, be sure to bring your photo ID and health insurance card(s). Leave valuables such as cash and jewelry at home.
After your Ozaki procedure, you will stay in the hospital for 5-7 nights. You should bring toiletries, a robe, slippers, a cell phone and charger, medications, and a change of clothes. You should also arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital after you are discharged.
How long does Ozaki aortic valve replacement take?
The Ozaki aortic valve replacement procedure takes 3-4 hours.
During your Ozaki aortic valve replacement procedure
The Ozaki aortic valve replacement technique is an invasive surgery. Your care team will give you general anesthesia and put you on a heart-lung machine.
During the procedure, your surgeon:
- Makes a large cut in your chest and separates your breastbone.
- Removes a piece of tissue from the sac around your heart and uses a chemical called glutaraldehyde to strengthen it.
- Constructs a new aortic valve with the strengthened tissue, removes the diseased valve, and replaces it with the newly built valve from your own tissue.
Recovery after Ozaki aortic valve replacement
After your Ozaki aortic valve replacement procedure:
- You can expect to stay in the hospital for 5-7 days.
- It will take 1-2 months for your breastbone to heal and for you to fully recover. After that, you can resume normal activities.
- You will need to take a baby aspirin daily for three months after your surgery.
- You won't need to take any other blood thinners after surgery.
- You will have follow-up appointments with your doctor to check on the condition of your new valve.
When to call your doctor about Ozaki aortic valve replacement complications
You should call your doctor if you are experiencing any unusual symptoms, including:
- A fever of more than 100.0°F.
- Burning or pain in your chest.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Difficulty swallowing, throat pain, or bloody cough.
- New or increasing shortness of breath.
- Pain, redness, bleeding, drainage, or increased swelling at the incision site.
- Rapid or pounding heartbeat.
- Redness or rash on your chest or back.
What’s the prognosis after Ozaki aortic valve replacement?
Research shows that the Ozaki aortic valve replacement procedure has long-term benefits with few reported risks, compared to mechanical and animal tissue valve replacements.
People who have this surgery heal within 1-2 months. And unlike mechanical valve replacements, they typically don't need to take long-term blood thinners afterward.
What is the success rate of the Ozaki procedure?
The valve created from your own heart sac tissue instead of foreign animal tissue is much like a healthy valve. As a result, the Ozaki procedure is successful in restoring normal valve function.
Why Choose UPMC for Ozaki Aortic Valve Replacement?
UPMC is among only a few hospitals in Pennsylvania that offer the Ozaki aortic valve replacement technique. Our team of experts:
- Have many years of training and experience with the Ozaki aortic valve replacement technique.
- Have performed the highest volume of adult Ozaki aortic valve replacement procedures in the U.S.
- Trains surgeons from across the world on this innovative technique on a routine basis.
Last reviewed by a UPMC medical professional on 2024-10-01.
