Common Mitral Valve Problems That Warrant Mitral Valve Repair Or Replacement Procedures!
Two Main Treatments For Mitral Valve Problems!
Common Risks Associated With Mitral Valve Repair Or Replacement Procedures!
Other Common Mitral Valve Repair Procedures!
The heart is the most important muscular organ of your body that is solely responsible to supply oxygenated blood to your entire body. Though it is divided into four chambers namely left auricle and left ventricle and right auricle and right ventricle, it is the left-sided chambers from where the heart failure tends to begin as these are the first to receive oxygenated blood from the lungs. The flow between these two chambers is guarded by the mitral valve. It is also called a bicuspid valve because it has two leaflets or cusps. The mitral valve opens and closes with each heartbeat and makes sure that the blood flows from the atrium to the ventricle and not backwards. Since the mitral valve is such a crucial part of the heart, when it isn’t functioning properly, it can have major impacts on your overall heart health and well being.
Common Mitral Valve Problems That Warrant Mitral Valve Repair Or Replacement Procedures!
There are four main types of mitral valve disease which require mitral valve repair or replacement surgery. These include:
- Mitral Valve Prolapse – This is when the valve leaflets prolapse or bulge back into the atrium during systole. This can cause regurgitation (backflow) of blood.
- Mitral Stenosis – This is when the valve orifice (opening) becomes narrowed, causing blood flow to be restricted. This can lead to left atrial enlargement and congestion.
- Mitral Regurgitation – This is when the leaflets do not close properly, causing blood to leak back into the atrium causing your left ventricle to become enlarged.
- Combined Mitral Valve Disease – This is when a combination of the above three valve diseases is present.
Two Main Treatments For Mitral Valve Problems!
- Mitral Valve Repair is a less invasive option and is often the first choice for treatment. The goal of repair is to fix the valve so that it works properly. This can be done through surgery or by using a catheter to insert a device that helps support the valve.
- Mitral Valve Replacement is a more invasive option and is typically only considered when repair is not possible or has failed. In this procedure, the damaged valve is removed and replaced with a new one.
Both mitral valve repair and replacement are effective treatments for mitral valve problems, and it is your treating surgeon only who will determine the best course of treatment for your specific heart valve condition.
Common Risks Associated With Mitral Valve Repair Or Replacement Procedures!
Like with any other procedure, there are many common risks associated with these procedures that include:
- Blood clots, bleeding problems, or infection
- Malfunctioning of replaced mitral valve
- Arrhythmias aka irregular heartbeats, stroke, and even death
How To Prepare for Surgery?
When it comes to heart valve surgery, the most important thing is to be prepared. Here’s what you can expect and how to get ready for your mitral valve repair or replacement. Your doctor will first do a thorough evaluation to see if you are a candidate for surgery. This will include a physical exam, a review of your medical history, and some tests. Once it is determined that you will need surgery, your doctor will discuss the specific procedure with you and answer any questions you may have. It is important to understand the risks and benefits of the surgery and to have realistic expectations. Most people who have valve surgery are able to return to their normal activities after a few months of recovery.
- Preparing for Surgery! You will need to prepare for your surgery by quitting smoking, if you smoke, and making sure you are in good physical shape. You will also need to follow your doctor’s instructions on how to care for yourself before and after the surgery. You will likely receive general anesthesia before the initiation of surgery to help you sleep through the procedure which is expected to last anywhere from 2-3 hours.
- What to Expect During The Surgery? Here is a brief overview of some of the most common types of heart surgeries to repair or replace the mitral valve.
- Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery: This type of surgery is performed through small incisions in the chest. The risks and recovery time are typically lower than with traditional open-heart surgery.
- Conversion To Open-Heart Surgery: In some cases, minimally invasive surgery is not possible and the surgeon may need to convert to traditional open-heart surgery. This carries a higher risk but may be necessary to provide the best possible treatment.
- Robotic Assisted Heart Surgery: This type of surgery uses robotic technology to assist the surgeon in performing the procedure. The risks and recovery time are similar to minimally invasive surgery.
- Catheter Based Procedure: This type of surgery is performed through a small incision in the groin. A catheter is then passed through the incision and into the heart. The risks and recovery time are typically lower than with traditional open-heart surgery.
- What to Expect After Surgery? After the surgery, you will be taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) for a few days to recover. You will likely have a chest tube in place to help drain any fluid from your chest. You will also be on a ventilator to help you breathe. You will be moved to a regular hospital room once your condition stabilizes. You will continue to recover there for a few days until you are well enough to go home. Recovery from heart valve surgery can take some time, but most people feel much better after a few months.
Other Common Mitral Valve Repair Procedures!
- Annuloplasty: The most common type of mitral valve repair is annuloplasty which is a procedure to repair the valve annulus, which is the ring of tissue that the valve leaflets attach to. Annuloplasty can be done with either sutures or a ring.
- Valvuloplasty: It is another type of mitral valve repair procedure that is done to repair the valve leaflets. The most common type of valvuloplasty is called commissurotomy which is done to remove the calcification from the valve leaflets.
- Mitral Valve Clipping: It is another type of mitral valve repair to clip the valve leaflets together. This is done to prevent the valve from prolapsing, or falling back into the left atrium.
- Mitral Valve Replacement: When a mitral valve repair is not possible or has failed completely, the surgeon will opt for replacing the mitral valve with a new mechanical or biological tissue valve.
Consult Dr. Arun Hari For Any Mitral Valve Problems – A Perfectionist At Treating Even The Most Complex Heart Valve Conditions!
Mitral valve repair or replacement surgery is usually required to treat mitral valve diseases. The type of surgery will depend on the severity of the valve disease. If you have been diagnosed with any type of mitral valve disease and are unsure where and whom to seek the best possible treatment, you should consult with Dr. Arun who is a board-certified, highly experienced interventional cardiologist in India well known for his skills in doing minimally invasive cardiac surgeries to good effect.
