Mitral Valve Repair Surgery

Overview and Facts about Mitral Valve Repair Surgery

Mitral valve repair encompasses several surgical and nonsurgical procedures used in the treatment of mitral valve disease, including regurgitation and stenosis.

The mitral valve is located between the heart’s left atrium and left ventricle and is responsible for managing the passage of blood between the two chambers.

In regurgitation, the mitral valve leaks, allowing blood to flow back into the atrium from the ventricle. Stenosis occurs when the flaps, or leaflets, of the valve, thicken or stiffen. This causes the narrowing or blockage of the valve, impairing the flow of blood through the ventricle and to the rest of the body. Regurgitation and stenosis have a number of causes.

Depending on the extent of the damage, your mitral valve may be repaired or replaced with a mechanical or biological valve. The benefits of repairing the valve include preserving your own valve tissue and avoiding risks associated with replacement surgery, including blood clots and valve failure.

What to Expect during Mitral Valve Repair Surgery

Repairing the mitral valve is accomplished through a number of procedures depending on the nature of the disease. The repair can often be performed through minimally invasive techniques or endoscopically, though open heart surgery may be necessary.

In open heart surgery, the chest is opened and the heart is exposed through an incision atop the breastbone. However, minimally invasive procedures only require smaller incisions on the right and left side of the chest.

In endoscopic mitral valve repair surgery, one to four small incisions are made on the chest, allowing the surgeon to perform the procedure through the insertion of a small camera and special surgical tools.

All procedures are performed under general anesthesia by a doctor who specializes in cardiac surgery. You will also be placed on a heartlung machine, a pump that continues the circulation of oxygenated blood throughout your body while your heart is stopped during the procedure. Valve repair surgery lasts between two to four hours on average.

After surgery, the length of your hospital stay depends on the type of surgery you undergo, though you can expect to remain hospitalized for three to five days.

What are the Risks of Mitral Valve Repair Surgery?

Possible complications following the repair of the mitral valve include:

• Blood clots
• Blood loss
• Infection
• Irregular heartbeat
• Kidney failure
• Stroke

What are the Side Effects of Mitral Valve Repair Surgery?

Side effects of mitral valve repair vary depending on the type of surgery performed.

In general, you may experience any of the following after effects of heart surgery:

• Appetite loss
• Chest pain
• Discomfort or pain at the incision site(s)
• Pain in your shoulders or back
• Trouble sleeping