Mitral regurgitation surgery prognosis


 * Associate Editor-In-Chief: Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D. [mailto:msbeih@perfuse.org]

Surgical Outcome
The results of mitral valve repair are excellent in the centers that regularly perform this surgery.

Techniques for minimally invasive heart valve surgery have improved greatly over the past 10 years. These techniques are safe for most patients, and they reduce recovery time and pain.

Valve repair versus valve replacement

Advantages of Mitral valve repair include:
 * Lower operative mortality rate
 * Improves left ventricular ejection fraction EF and function.
 * Preserves native heart valve and avoids the use of a prosthetic heart valve with its complications.
 * Has good overall outcome with good survival rates.
 * Lower risk for endocarditis.
 * Avoids long term use of anticoagulants.

Mechanical versus Biological valves

Mechanical heart valves do not fail often. They last from 12 to 20 years. However, blood clots develop on them. If a blood clot forms, the patient may have a stroke. Bleeding can occur, but this is rare. Biological valves tend to fail over time, but they have a lower risk of blood clots.