What is Mitral Valve Repair?
Mitral valve repair is an open heart procedure performed by cardiothoracic surgeons to treat stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage) of the mitral valve. The mitral valve is the "inflow valve" for the left side of the heart. Blood flows from the lungs, where it picks up oxygen, and into the heart through the mitral valve. When it opens, the mitral valve allows blood to flow into the heart's main pumping chamber called the left ventricle. It then closes to keep blood from leaking back into the lungs when the ventricle contracts (squeezes) to push blood out to the body. It has two flaps, or leaflets.
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In our practice more than 90% of patients with "floppy valve" syndrome underwent successful repair!
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The mitral valve is highlighted on this illustration of a heart. The mitral valve is the "inflow valve" for the left side of the heart. Blood flows from the lungs, where it picks up oxygen, and into the heart through the mitral valve.
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Why is this surgery done?
Occasionally, the mitral valve is abnormal from birth (congenital). More often the mitral valve becomes abnormal with age (degenerative) or as a result of rheumatic fever. In rare instances the mitral valve can be destroyed by infection or a bacterial endocarditis. Mitral regurgitation may also occur as a result of ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease). When it opens, the mitral valve allows blood to flow into the heart's main pumping chamber called the left ventricle. It then closes to keep blood from leaking back into the lungs when the ventricle contracts (squeezes) to push blood out to the body. It has two flaps, or leaflets.
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Often the mitral valve is so damaged that it must be replaced (refer to Mitral Valve Replacement). Mitral valve repair is performed to correct a leaking or regurgitant valve. Valves regurgitant due to bacterial endocarditis can be repaired, however the majority of mitral valve repairs are performed for degenerative disease.
Degenerative mitral valve disease may be due to an elongation or rupture of the chordal apparatus, the "heart-strings" that support the valve normally, or due to a more generalized weakness of the valve itself such as the "floppy valve" syndrome (Mitral Prolapse) in which all of the components of the valve are enlarged and elongated.
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Most of the posterior leaflet prolapse can be repaired, while repair of the anterior leaflet can be difficult.
70% of "floppy valves" can be repaired based on the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland clinic data.
Minimally invasive technique can be used, however patients are exposed to increased risk and the patients complain of more severe post operative pain due to rib spreading.
Robotic mitral valve surgery is at this point only experimental with a failure rate requiring repeat surgery within one year in 10% of patients. (Thoracic Surg 2008; 85: 43-44)
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The information provided on this website is provided for informational purposes only, and must not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care, and is not intended to provide complete medical information. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat medical problems.
You must consult with us personally if you want more information on the procedures and tests that are described on this website.
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