Mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement
About this test
Mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement are types of heart surgery to fix or replace a leaky or narrowed mitral valve. The mitral valve is one of four heart valves that control blood flow in the heart. It's located between the upper and lower left heart chambers.
Why it's done
Mitral valve repair or replacement is done to treat a damaged or diseased mitral valve. The mitral valve is between the two left heart chambers. The valve has flaps, also called leaflets, that open and close to let blood pass through. Your healthcare team may suggest mitral valve surgery if you have: Mitral valve regurgitation. The valve flaps don't close tightly. This lets blood leak backward. Mitral valve repair surgery is recommended if you have severe mitral valve regurgitation symptoms. Mitral valve stenosis. The valve flaps become thick or stiff. Sometimes they stick together. The valve becomes narrowed. So less blood can flow through the valve. Mitral valve surgery may be done if the stenosis is severe and causing shortness of breath or other symptoms. Sometimes, mitral valve surgery may be done even if you don't have symptoms. For example, if you need heart surgery for another condition, surgeons might do mitral valve surgery at the same time. Research suggests that doing valve surgery in some people with severe mitral valve regurgitation who don't have symptoms improves long-term outcomes. Mitral valve repair also may be done to avoid complications that can occur with mitral valve replacement. Complications depend on the type of valve used. They may include blood clots and valve failure.
Risks and complications
Possible risks of mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement surgery include: Bleeding. Blood clots. Failure of the replacement valve. Irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias. Infection. Stroke.
How to prepare
To prepare for mitral valve repair or replacement, you have tests to get more details about your heart. For example, you usually have an ultrasound of the heart, also called an echocardiogram. Your care team tells you what to expect before, during and after surgery. Talk to your loved ones about your surgery and hospital stay. Tell them what help you may need when you return home.
What to expect
Surgery to repair or replace the mitral valve is done at a hospital by a heart surgeon, called a cardiovascular surgeon. If you also need heart surgery for another condition, the surgeon may do both surgeries at the same time.
Understanding your results
Mitral valve repair and replacement surgery may help reduce valve disease symptoms. The treatment also may improve quality of life. If you had mitral valve replacement with a mechanical valve, you need to take blood thinners for life to prevent blood clots. Biological tissue valves break down over time and usually need to be replaced. Mechanical valves usually do not wear out over time. Regular health checkups are needed to make sure the new or repaired valve is working properly. Your healthcare professional may recommend a program of education and exercise to help you improve your health and recover after heart valve surgery. This type of program is called cardiac rehabilitation, commonly called cardiac rehab. Following a healthy lifestyle is important to heart health before and after mitral valve repair or mitral valve replacement. A healthy lifestyle includes: Not smoking or using tobacco. Getting regular exercise. Maintaining a healthy weight. Eating nutritious foods and limiting salt and saturated fats. Managing stress. Controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.