The rules in Aus for Aortic valve replacement are:
Corrected Aortic Stenosis
Class 1, 2 and 3 Medical Certificates
On diagnosis of the condition, inform CASA Aviation Medicine Section and advise applicant not to exercise the privileges of his/her licence until investigations have been completed and results assessed as satisfactory by CASA.
Recertification
Investigations required for recertification are:
Routine aviation medical examination
Cardiologist’s assessment
ECG
Doppler echocardiogram
Chest X-ray.
If all of the investigations and the cardiologist’s reports are satisfactory, the applicant may be recertificated for a period of 12 months.
Where a tissue (pig) valve is used and there is no requirement for anticoagulation, medical certification may be unrestricted.
Where a mechanical valve is used, the applicant is to have evidence of clinically satisfactory well-controlled anticoagulation, and Class 1 medical certification will be restricted to multi-crew operations.
Subsequent Review
Class 1, 2 and 3 all require annual review by a cardiologist.
Hopes this helps a bit. Even a mechanical valve is not grounding, but may be restrictive depending on what type of flying you do.
Cheers,
ausdoc