The results of mitral valve repair surgery depend on the type of problem with the mitral valve that has caused dysfunction. In general, the results of mitral valve repair surgery are excellent, with low mortality rate and a low rate of re-operation on the valve. These results make mitral valve repair superior to mitral valve replacement in the majority of cases.
Low Mortality Rate with Mitral Valve Repair Surgery
The most common type of problem with the mitral valve is known as degenerative mitral valve disease. The mortality rate has been shown to be very low with surgical repair of degerative valve disease. The perioperative mortality (immediately around the time of surgery) is around 2%, though this depends on the type of problem with the mitral valve. One study evaluated 162 patients who received surgery between 1970 and 1984. The 20 year mortality was found to be 48%, which is similar to the general population with the same age distribution. Another study from the Cleveland Clinic demonstrated that 93% of patients did not need a second operation after 10 years.
Low Rate of Re-Operation with Mitral Valve Repair
The results of mitral valve repair are excellent in regard to the rate of re-operation after surgery. In one series, 94% of patients did not need a second operation after 10 years, and 92% of patients did not need a second operation 20 years after the initial mitral valve repair. (Reference). Another study demonstrated that 93% of patients did not need a second operation after 10 years. (Reference).
These results show that mitral valve repair surgery has a low risk of mortality with good long term results. Other types of mitral valve disease are caused by infection (rheumatic heart disease) and myocardial infarction (or heart attacks). There is a lower survival rate with mitral valve repair surgery in these types of valve disease.
