Essential Facts About Mitral Valve Surgery

Located between the heart's left chambers, the mitral valve ensures proper blood flow direction. Sometimes, this valve develops issues like leaks or narrowing, prompting the need for surgical intervention. Patients should understand the different surgical options and considerations before proceeding.

Types of Mitral Valve Surgery
There are two main approaches: repairing the existing valve or replacing it entirely. These procedures address issues such as leaky or stiff valves affecting heart function.

Mitral Valve Repair
In repair surgeries, doctors patch holes, remove excess tissue, or reconnect valve leaflets to restore proper function. Structural repairs, like replacing supporting cords or addressing fused leaflets, are also common.

Mitral Valve Replacement
Replace the damaged valve with a mechanical device or biological tissue from animals or humans. Sometimes, a minimally invasive catheter procedure is used to insert the new valve, known as a valve-in-valve approach.

These surgeries can be performed via open-heart or minimally invasive techniques, depending on the severity. Repairing the valve is often preferred to avoid complications such as blood clots or valve failure associated with replacements.

When Is Surgery Necessary?
Surgery may be advised for conditions like mitral regurgitation, where the valve leaks, or stenosis, where it becomes stiff and narrows blood flow. Mild cases require monitoring, but severe symptoms often necessitate urgent intervention.

Mitral Regurgitation
When valve flaps don’t close properly, blood leaks backward. Repair may be needed in cases of severe symptoms or mitral valve prolapse.

Mitral Stenosis
Thickened or fused leaflets narrow the valve, limiting blood flow. Surgery can alleviate this problem.

Even mild cases without symptoms require regular checkups, and some patients with severe regurgitation might benefit from early surgery despite the absence of symptoms.

Risks to Consider
Like all surgeries, mitral valve procedures carry risks such as blood clots, bleeding, infection, stroke, irregular heartbeats, and potential malfunction of the new valve.

Blood clots

Bleeding

Infection

Stroke

Irregular heart rhythm

Valve malfunction

Postoperative Hospital Stay
Recovery in the hospital varies, typically involving intensive care, monitoring, oxygen support, and medication. Healthcare providers will guide activity levels, breathing exercises, and incision care to ensure safe recovery.

Hospital stays may involve a day or more, with patients gradually resuming activity and following specific post-surgical instructions to promote healing and detect complications early.

At-Home Care Guidelines
After discharge, managing the condition involves medication adherence, regular checkups, and lifestyle changes. Mechanical valves require lifelong blood-thinning medication, while biological valves might need replacement over time. Maintaining a heart-healthy diet, exercise, and stress management are crucial for optimal recovery.