Exploring Mitral Valve Surgery
- Category: Heart, Lung & Vascular Care
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Mitral valve surgery is a surgical procedure performed to treat a damaged or diseased mitral valve in the heart. The mitral valve is one of the four valves in the heart that regulates the flow of blood between the upper and lower chambers of the heart. It consists of two flaps also referred to as ‘leaflets’ that open and close to allow blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.
Mitral valve surgery may be recommended for individuals with severe mitral valve regurgitation or stenosis, which can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and palpitations. The surgery is performed to repair or replace the valve, depending on the severity and type of the valve disease.
During mitral valve surgery, the patient is put under general anesthesia, and the surgeon makes an incision in the chest to access the heart. In traditional open-heart surgery, a large incision is made in the chest to access the heart. The heart is stopped temporarily, and a heart-lung machine is used to circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body while the procedure is performed. In minimally invasive surgery (or robot-assisted mitral valve surgery), smaller incisions are made, and specialized instruments and imaging techniques are used to access the valve, allowing for a faster recovery time and less scarring.
The surgeon may repair the valve by reshaping or tightening the leaflets or repairing the cords that attach the valve to the heart muscle. If the valve is severely damaged, the surgeon may replace it with a prosthetic valve made of biological tissue, such as animal or human tissue, or mechanical materials.Mitral valve surgery is a complex procedure that requires a team of experienced cardiothoracic surgeons and medical professionals. The recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery and the patient's overall health, but most patients can return to normal activities within a few weeks to a few months after surgery. Regular follow-up appointments with a cardiologist are important to monitor the patient's progress and ensure the success of the surgery.
Mitral valve surgery may be recommended for individuals with severe mitral valve regurgitation or stenosis, which can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and palpitations. The surgery is performed to repair or replace the valve, depending on the severity and type of the valve disease.
During mitral valve surgery, the patient is put under general anesthesia, and the surgeon makes an incision in the chest to access the heart. In traditional open-heart surgery, a large incision is made in the chest to access the heart. The heart is stopped temporarily, and a heart-lung machine is used to circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body while the procedure is performed. In minimally invasive surgery (or robot-assisted mitral valve surgery), smaller incisions are made, and specialized instruments and imaging techniques are used to access the valve, allowing for a faster recovery time and less scarring.
The surgeon may repair the valve by reshaping or tightening the leaflets or repairing the cords that attach the valve to the heart muscle. If the valve is severely damaged, the surgeon may replace it with a prosthetic valve made of biological tissue, such as animal or human tissue, or mechanical materials.Mitral valve surgery is a complex procedure that requires a team of experienced cardiothoracic surgeons and medical professionals. The recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery and the patient's overall health, but most patients can return to normal activities within a few weeks to a few months after surgery. Regular follow-up appointments with a cardiologist are important to monitor the patient's progress and ensure the success of the surgery.
