Mitral Valve Surgery

What is Mitral Valve Surgery

Mitral valve surgery is performed to repair or replace the mitral valve, which controls blood flow between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart. This procedure restores normal blood circulation, relieves symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort, and helps prevent serious complications such as heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and irregular heart rhythms, improving overall heart function.

Symptoms of Mitral Valve Surgery

Causes of Mitral Valve Surgery

Mitral valve surgery becomes necessary when conditions such as mitral valve regurgitation, stenosis, prolapse, infections like endocarditis, or congenital defects impair the valve’s function. These issues disrupt normal blood flow between the heart chambers, leading to symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and chest pain. Without treatment, the heart faces increased strain, potentially resulting in heart failure or other serious complications.

Diagnosis for the Mitral Valve Surgery

Diagnosing mitral valve disease involves tests like echocardiography, which visualizes valve movement and blood flow, chest X-rays to detect heart enlargement, electrocardiograms (ECG) to assess heart rhythm, and cardiac MRI for detailed imaging of heart structures. These diagnostic tools help doctors evaluate the severity of valve dysfunction and determine if surgical intervention is necessary for effective treatment.

Treatment for Mitral Valve Surgery

Treatment for mitral valve disease includes repair procedures that reshape, tighten, or patch the existing valve to restore function, often preserving natural valve tissue. In severe cases, complete valve replacement is performed using either mechanical or biological prosthetic valves. These interventions aim to improve heart efficiency, relieve symptoms like fatigue and breathlessness, and enhance overall quality of life.

Types of Mitral Valve Surgery

There are two main types of mitral valve surgery: mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement. Repair involves fixing the existing valve to restore normal function, while replacement uses either a mechanical or biological valve. Minimally invasive techniques and robotic-assisted surgeries are also available, offering faster recovery, less pain, and excellent outcomes for eligible patients.