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Aortic valve replacement is an "open heart" procedure performed by cardiothoracic surgeons for treatment of narrowing or leakage of the aortic valve. The Heritage Valley medical team will perform several tests including an echocardiogram and sometimes cardiac catheterization to determine if this procedure is right for you. An echocardiogram may show enlargement of the heart, and can help to measure the degree of stenosis or regurgitation. A cardiac catheterization provides similar information, but can also identify any narrowings of the coronary arteries.