Mitral Valve Repair

The mitral valve is a complex structure that controls blood flow through the left side of the heart. When open, the mitral valve allows blood to flow into the heart’s main pumping chamber, the left ventricle. When the left ventricle contracts to push blood through the body, the mitral valve closes to prevent blood from flowing back toward the lungs.

Sometimes the mitral valve is abnormal from birth or becomes damaged by infection. More often, mitral valve structures become damaged with age or from coronary artery disease.

Whatever the cause, an abnormal or damaged mitral valve cannot completely seal the heart’s left ventricle. With an incomplete seal, blood can escape the left ventricle and flow backwards through the mitral valve. This conflicting force can make the heart work harder, leading to further mitral valve damage and other potential complications such as congestive heart failure.

Treatment for mitral valve disease consists of either replacing or repairing the valve. Mitral valve  replacement is performed surgically using either an artificial valve or a valve obtained from a pig.Due to the less successful outcomes of valve replacement it is usually better to repair the existing valve. Surgical repair involves delicate reconstruction of native valve tissues in order to restore proper function.

The most common approach to repair requires the surgeon to cut open the breastbone and spread the ribs to gain direct access to the heart. Cutting the sternum and opening the rib cage — the body’s natural protective structure for the heart — can prolong healing time, increase risk of infection, serious complications and even mortality.

With the advent of minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery, a new technique became available involving less trauma, less pain and faster recovery.  

Saint Joseph's Center for Robotic Surgery offers this new approach to Mitral valve repair through the use of the da Vinci Surgical System. For the clinically appropriate patient, da Vinci Mitral valve repair offers a number of potential benefits, including:

• Less post-operative pain
• Less risk of infection
• Less anesthesia
• Less blood loss
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster and more complete recovery
• Quicker return to normal daily activities

Clinical references

• Endoscopic robotic mitral valve surgery, Douglas A. Murphy, MD, Jeffrey S. Miller, MD, David A. Langford, MD, and Averel B. Snyder, MD, American Journal of Thoracic and Cardiothoracic Surgery, October 2006.

For more information about robotic surgery, call 1-866-SJ-ROBOT (1-866-757-6268).

For more information about Saint Joseph's Center for Heart & Vascular Care, call 404-851-5111.