Mitral Valve Repair Surgery

Mitral valve repair surgery is an open heart surgery performed by cardiothoracic surgeons to treat problems with the mitral valve, including mitral valve stenosis and mitral valve regurgitation.  With stenosis, the opening of the valve becomes narrowed, which decreases the amount of blood that can travel across the valve.  In mitral valve regurgitation, the valve does not close properly, leading to a backward flow of blood as the heart pumps.  There are a variety of conditions that lead to mitral valve dysfunction.  Some people are born with mitral valve problems, while others develop problems due to infection, heart attacks, or due to “wear and tear” of the valve that occurs over time.

Why is Mitral Valve Repair Necessary?
When the mitral valve is not functioning properly, it must be repaired.  The mitral valve is critical to the function of the heart.  It allows the blood to flow from the left atria to the powerful left ventricle, which pumps blood to the entire body.  If the mitral valve becomes leaky, blood will flow backwards into the blood vessels of the lungs as the heart pumps.  The heart will be able to compensate in the short term, but in the long run the heart will not function properly, leading to high blood pressures in the arteries of the lungs.  This will in turn lead to severe shortness of breath and fatigue, and congestive heart failure can develop.

Surgical Repair of the Mitral Valve
There are different techniques that can be used to repair the mitral valve.  With mitral valve stenosis, a cardiologist may be able to open the valve using a ballon, known as balloon valvuloplasty.  Often the mitral valve becomes damaged to the point that surgery is necessary.  Mitral valve repair techniques were refined during the 1970's and 1980's, and are now the preferred method to fix problems with the mitral valve.  The benefits of mitral valve repair vs. replacement include long lasting results with mitral valve repair without the need for blood thinners.  There are also minimally invasive mitral valve repair techniques, including robotic mitral valve repair surgery, that are associated with a shorter recovery time compared to traditional open heart surgery techniques.

The Mitral Valve Repair Procedure
There are a variety of techniques used during the mitral valve repair surgical procedure to restore the shape and function of the mitral valve.  Complications of mitral valve repair surgery include risks associated with anesthesia, surgery in general, and specific risks associated with open heart surgery.  In general, there is a low mortality rate with mitral valve repair surgery, and the high success rate outweighs the risks associated with the procedure.  Recovery after mitral valve repair is similar to other open heart surgeries, and most patients experience a return to full activity within 3 to 6 months.