Mitral valve surgery treats problems with your mitral valve caused by mitral valve disease. Mitral valve repair or replacement can be performed using traditional open-chest or minimally invasive approaches.
The heart valve experts at UPMC provide expert treatment for mitral valve disease — including mitral regurgitation, stenosis, prolapse, and infection — with outstanding outcomes. Our specialists are highly trained in the latest minimally invasive techniques for mitral valve repair and replacement surgery.
Mitral valve procedures can be performed using traditional open-heart surgery or minimally invasive approaches. Depending on your condition, your doctor may repair or replace your mitral valve.
If you have mitral valve disease, the preferred treatment is a repair of your own valve, rather than a mitral valve replacement.
Compared to mitral valve replacement, mitral valve repair provides better long-term survival, better preservation of heart function, lower risk of complications, and usually eliminates the need for long-term use of blood thinners. UPMC cardiac surgeons are committed to preserving your own mitral valve by performing a mitral valve repair whenever possible.
Mitral valve repair is a complex surgical procedure. Depending on your condition, your surgeon may use an open or minimally invasive approach. Minimally invasive surgery is typically associated with a shorter recovery time, less pain, and fewer postoperative restrictions when compared to open-chest surgical procedures.
If your mitral valve is too damaged to be repaired, your surgeon may remove your damaged mitral valve and replace it with a bioprosthetic valve (made of cow or pig heart tissue) or a mechanical valve (made of metal).
Our cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons have the skills and experience required to successfully perform mitral valve repair and replacement using advanced minimally invasive techniques.
Minimally invasive procedures access your valve through much smaller incisions without opening your chest. The benefits of these minimally invasive approaches include:
Minimally invasive mitral valve treatment options include:
You may need mitral valve surgery if your mitral valve isn’t working correctly — even if you don’t have any symptoms. Even if you do not have symptoms, mitral valve surgery may be recommended when valve disease is severe, the left ventricle begins to enlarge or dilate, or if the squeeze of the heart (ejection fraction) becomes weaker.
You may be a candidate for mitral valve surgery if you have a damaged or diseased mitral valve. Your doctor may recommend mitral valve surgery to prevent future complications, even if you don’t have noticeable symptoms.
Some people with severe mitral valve disease are at increased risk of complications or death from mitral valve surgery. Mitral valve surgery is an excellent treatment option, but it isn’t right for everyone.
For many people, mitral valve surgery carries a low risk of complications. However, as with any surgery, there are risks, including:
If your doctor recommends mitral valve surgery, our team of heart valve experts will start by doing a thorough exam. During your mitral valve surgery evaluation, you may meet with:
Our experts use the latest diagnostic tests to learn about your heart valve condition, including:
Your doctor may also order other tests, such as:
Your doctor will explain the mitral valve surgery procedure to you and give you a chance to ask questions. To prepare for mitral valve surgery, you should:
On the day of your mitral valve surgery procedure, be sure to bring your photo ID and health insurance card(s). Leave valuables such as cash and jewelry at home.
After your mitral valve procedure, you will stay in the hospital for 1-5 days, depending on the type of procedure you have. Your doctor will let you know how many nights you should expect to stay for the type of procedure you are having.
You should bring toiletries, a robe, slippers, a cell phone and charger, medications, and a change of clothes. You should also arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital after you are discharged.
Your mitral valve surgery could take as little as an hour or up to several hours, depending on the type of procedure you are having. For less invasive approaches such as TEER or TMVR, you should expect to spend 1-2 hours in the recovery room before being transferred to your hospital room.
For robotically assisted mitral valve repair/replacement via mini right thoracotomy or open-heart surgery, patients are transferred to an ICU from the operating room and tend to remain in the ICU for 1-2 days before transferring to a regular floor.
During mitral valve replacement surgery, your damaged valve will be repaired or replaced with a new valve. Your doctor may perform a minimally invasive procedure or an open-chest surgery, depending on your condition.
Depending on the type of procedure you are having, you may be placed under general anesthesia or connected to a heart-lung bypass machine that will take over the function of your heart and lungs during your operation.
Your doctor will provide you with more details about the approach he or she plans to use before surgery.
When your mitral valve procedure is completed, you will be moved to recovery for observation and monitoring. Your doctor will provide more information about your recovery and your hospital stay — including when you can resume your normal activities.
If you receive a mechanical mitral valve replacement, you will need to take blood-thinning medication called warfarin or Coumadin after mitral valve surgery. Follow your doctor’s instructions and go to all your follow-up appointments.
If you have an open surgical procedure, your recovery may take up to three months. A complete recovery after a minimally invasive procedure typically takes about 4-6 weeks.
You should call your doctor if you are experiencing any unusual symptoms, including:
Most otherwise healthy patients continue to lead active, normal lives after mitral valve surgery.
For most people, life expectancy after mitral valve surgery is the same as anyone else who does not have heart problems. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about your life expectancy after your mitral valve surgery procedure.
Mitral valve surgery success rates vary depending on the type of procedure you’re having. However, most people who have mitral valve surgery have outstanding outcomes, reduced symptoms, and improved quality of life.
The cardiovascular specialists at UPMC are among the most experienced in Pennsylvania at performing mitral valve surgery and minimally invasive transcatheter mitral valve procedures. Our team regularly participates in the latest clinical trials and delivers outstanding treatment outcomes.
Medically reviewed by: Elissa Castor, PA-C on 2024-10-01.
