How To Repair Mitral Valve

Mitral Valve Repair

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Mitral valve affliction occurs when the valves in the upper middle chamber don't open or close properly. This can crusade claret to menses backward out of the heart (regurgitation) or tin restrict blood (stenosis) to the main pumping chamber of the heart (left ventricle).

Mitral valve repair is a surgical procedure that corrects the mitral valve and then it functions properly.

Johns Hopkins mitral valve repair adept and co-director of the Middle and Vascular Constitute, James Gammie, M.D., explains what to expect during a mitral valve repair procedure.

What is the mitral valve, and where is it located?

The mitral valve is located inside the heart between the left atrium and left ventricle of the centre. It consists of ii flaps of tissue called leaflets. This valve allows claret to period from the lungs to the left atrium and into the left ventricle.

Once blood reaches the left ventricle, the oxygenated blood is pumped to the aorta, which pumps claret throughout the body. When the heart squeezes, the two leaflets of the mitral valve snap shut and prevent whatever backflow of blood.

What is mitral valve disease?

Mitral valve illness develops when the valve leaks, known equally mitral valve regurgitation, or when the valve becomes narrow and obstructs frontward blood flow, known as mitral valve stenosis. Mitral valve affliction prevents blood from flowing properly through the centre and body.

There are iii types of mitral valve illness:

Mitral valve prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse occurs when i or both leaflets of the mitral valve become enlarged and turn in. In some cases, this causes blood to flow backward into the heart (mitral valve regurgitation).

Mitral valve regurgitation

Mitral valve regurgitation occurs when the valve doesn't close tightly, assuasive blood to leak astern into the left ventricle. This causes the eye to work harder to pump blood and may, over fourth dimension, weaken the centre muscle.

Mitral regurgitation can exist either main or secondary.

Primary mitral regurgitation is the more mutual grade of the disease. Information technology is caused by elongation or rupture of the chordae tendinae: an array of cord-similar structures that back up the 2 mitral leaflets. When this happens, the valve does non close properly, and it leaks.
Secondary or functional mitral regurgitation is a dysfunction of the left ventricle that causes blood to flow backward. Secondary mitral regurgitation can be caused by a center attack or chronic eye failure with normal leaflets.

Mitral valve stenosis

Mitral valve stenosis occurs when the valve doesn't open properly and is also narrow. This can cause a lack of claret menstruation to the left ventricle of the heart.

Symptoms of Mitral Valve Illness

Some people may not experience symptoms of mitral valve disease until it becomes severe.

Symptoms of mitral valve disease may include the following:

Shortness of breath
Arrhythmia (aberrant middle vanquish rhythm)
Fatigue
Heart murmur (abnormal sound from the heart)
Swelling in anxiety and/or ankles

Call 911 or go to the ER: If you lot have middle problems such equally chest pains, dizziness, shortness of breath or sudden numbness, become help immediately.

What is a mitral valve repair?

Mitral valve repair surgery consists of several techniques to repair the valve depending on the blazon of mitral valve disease and severity of your status. "Mitral valve replacement may be required if the mitral valve is severely damaged. Mitral valve repair surgery is more unremarkably performed," explains Gammie.

How can I prepare for mitral valve repair surgery?

Earlier the procedure, your doctor will perform a thorough physical exam, blood test and medical history review to decide if you lot are healthy enough to undergo surgery. Your md volition explain the procedure, risks and recovery with you. You may exist asked non to drinkable or eat 8 hours before surgery or after midnight.

How is mitral valve repair surgery performed?

While you are nether anesthesia, your surgeon will make a small peel incision on your chest, opening the middle of your chest at the breastbone (sternum) to access your heart. "Depending on the severity and blazon of mitral valve affliction, surgery may include removing backlog tissue from the valve and reconnecting or separating the leaflets of the mitral valve," says Gammie.

Your surgeon may tighten the valve by performing the following techniques:

Annuloplasty: During an annuloplasty, the ring effectually the mitral valve, called the annulus, is tightened or reinforced to reshape the valve so information technology can function properly.
Mitral Valve Prune: A small metal device called a mitral valve clip can be inserted through a catheter from an avenue, leg or the groin to the eye. Your surgeon can utilise the clip to reshape the mitral valve. This type of procedure is considered minimally invasive, and may exist used for patients who are at a high take chances of complications from open heart surgery.

What is the recovery process afterwards the process?

After the procedure, you volition be sent to the intensive intendance unit for monitoring, usually for the first 24 hours, and so transferred to the telemetry unit for the remainder of your hospital stay. You may remain in the hospital for several days depending on your recovery and the severity of the mitral valve disease. Recovery includes weight restrictions, and your md will suggest when it'due south OK to resume normal activities, usually afterward a few months following surgery.

cardiac surgery - doctor listening to woman's chest on hospital bed with stethoscope.

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