The mitral valve is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart. It prevents blood from flowing back into the atrium during ventricular contraction. Mitral valve repair is a surgical procedure performed to restore the normal function of the valve without replacing it.
Mitral valve repair can be indicated for various diseases that affect the valve, including:
- Mitral regurgitation (reverse blood flow to the atrium)
- Mitral stenosis (narrowing of the valve that prevents blood flow)
- Combined lesions (regurgitation and stenosis)
Mitral valve repair surgery is usually performed through a small incision in the left side of the chest. The surgeon gets access to the heart and valve.
The surgeon then performs a recovery procedure that may include:
- Repair of chords (threads supporting valve flaps)
- Replacement or reconstruction of valve flaps
- Artificial valve expansion (annuloplasty)
Restoration of the mitral valve has several advantages over its replacement, including:
- Improved long-term valve function
- Lower risk of complications such as thromboembolism or infection
- There is no need for lifelong use of anticoagulants
- Better quality of life
As with any heart surgery, mitral valve repair comes with some risks, such as:
- The bleeding
- Infection
- Damage to the heart or other organs
- The need for repeated surgery
The prognosis after mitral valve repair is usually good. Most patients experience significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life. The final result depends on the severity of the underlying disease and the surgeon's experience.
Related Terms:
- Mitral stenosis
- Mitral regurgitation
- Annuloplasty
- Chord repair
- Mitral valve replacement
