Valve Repair and Replacement

As national leaders in robotic-assisted mitral valve repair, our surgeons have extensive experience in valve repair and replacement. In fact, we have a case volume that ranks among the top five in the country.

When a heart valve is not working, cardiac surgery is often used to replace or repair the diseased valve. Repairing a valve, when possible, is often preferable to replacement, as there is a reduced risk of complications.

Mitral Valve Surgery

The best available surgical treatment for mitral valve disease is valve repair. Valve repair involves the surgeon reconstructing your valve using your own tissues. Valve repair offers a number of significant, life-long benefits compared to valve replacement. These include a lower risk of mortality, a better chance of long-term survival and more freedom from re-operation. Our surgeons repair rather than replace the mitral valve in 90 percent of cases, outpacing the national average of 60 percent repairs. Best of all, at our Heart Institute, valve repair generally can be done using robotic-assisted surgery.

Robotic-Assisted Mitral Valve Surgery Reduces Trauma

Robotic-assisted mitral valve surgery is an alternative to conventional open heart surgery, giving our patients a less invasive treatment option. Traditional open heart surgery involves sternotomy – cutting through the breastbone and opening the ribs. Sternotomy can cause significant trauma, prolong healing time, and increase the risk for serious complications – even resulting in mortality. Moreover, an open approach doesn’t always provide the visualization and access necessary to complete a repair.

In addition to avoiding the pain and trauma of sternotomy and rib spreading, this may provide patient benefits such as:

  • Less risk of infection
  • Less blood loss and need for blood transfusions
  • Shorter hospital stay
  • Significantly less pain and scarring
  • Faster recovery
  • Quicker return to normal activities

Over five years, our Institute’s observed mortality rate for mitral valve replacement and repair, plus bypass is 0 percent, which is better than 92.5 percent of hospitals nationally. The observed mortality for aortic valve replacement is 1.6 percent, which is better than 93.5 percent of hospitals nationally.

As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed, as surgery is both patient- and procedure-specific. While robotic-assisted mitral valve surgery is considered safe and effective, it may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.