Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair

Minimally invasive heart surgery refers to a variety of surgical techniques designed to decrease the impact of open heart surgery on a patient.  The primary goal of minimally invasive mitral valve repair is to utilize a smaller operating window, which results in decreased scar size, less pain, and shorter recovery time after mitral valve repair surgery.  These techniques frequently involve the use of cutting-edge technologies that have only recently become available, including minimally invasive robotic mitral valve repair.

Minimally invasive mitral valve repair should be used whenever technically possible and in the best interest of the patient.  The primary advantage is improved recovery after mitral valve repair.  Although there are advantages to minimally invasive mitral valve repair, many patients are not candidates due to additional medical problems, known as comorbidities.  In addition, many valves have severe disease, and full visualization of the mitral valve is necessary to assure the best results of the repair.  To determine if you are a candidate for minimally invasive mitral valve repair, you should speak with your cardiologist or schedule a consultation with an experienced cardiac surgeon.