When diagnosed with Mitral Valve disease there are a number of treatments one could choose depending on the severity of their condition. If the symptoms in the patient are very mild and tests reveal that the condition is not overly serious, a doctor may simply use careful monitoring as a potential mitral valve treatment. If the patient’s condition is moderate to severe, a Mitral Valve surgery may be necessary.
Mitral Valve Surgery — Mitral Valve Repair
The preferred surgical option for patients with mitral valve disease is to repair of their native valve. This mitral vale surgery requires special expertise, but the advantages for the patient are significant including — improved life expectancy, avoidance of long-term anticoagulation (use of blood thinners), and better preservation of native heart function.
There are different techniques to achieve a successful mitral valve repair. Reinforcement of the annulus of the mitral valve along with reconstruction of the valve leaflets may be required to repair the Mitral Valve. This reinforcement on the Mitral Valve annu8lolous can be done with an annuloplasty ring.
MiCardia has developed an array of advanced annuloplasty devices which may be adjusted intra-operatively or post-operatively, dynamically after the annuloplasty ring is positioned during a Mitral Valve surgery. To find out more about MiCardia Dynaplasty® Technology click here.
Mitral Valve Surgery — Valve Replacement
The more drastic mitral valve surgery is Mitral Valve replacement surgery. This surgery is often performed when a patient’s mitral valve disease is severe. When doctors opt for this surgery, often the mitral valve is replaced with an artificial valve that is sewn to the annulus of the natural valve. There are two types of valves that can be used when having a mitral valve replacement surgery, a mechanical valve or a biological valve. A mechanical valve is made of synthetic materials are reliable and long-lasting. A biological valve is made from animal tissue or taken from the human tissue of a donated heart.
Note: This information is not a substitute for talking with your doctor.
