Mitral Valve Replacement: Procedure, Risks, and Outlook – Healthline

Your mitral valve is one of the four major valves in your heart. It helps blood flow through your heart and out to the rest of your body.

When this valve isnt working correctly, it puts stress on your heart. It also makes it difficult for your blood to circulate in a healthy way.

Sometimes, problems with your mitral valve can be managed with medicine or corrected with surgical repairs. These options are less invasive.

However, in severe cases, the valve will need to be replaced entirely. This is called mitral valve replacement surgery.

Problems with your mitral valve are called mitral valve disease. For some people, mitral valve disease is silent and there are no symptoms until the damage is severe. When symptoms occur, they include shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and a rapid heartbeat.

There are two types of mitral valve disease:

Several factors can lead to mitral valve disease. In some cases, the condition is simply a result of normal aging and the mitral valve wearing out. Certain health conditions can also cause mitral valve disease, including:

Your medical team will help you prepare for your mitral valve replacement surgery. One of the first steps is to discuss with your doctor the type of valve youll be receiving. You and your doctor can decide together which type of valve is best for you. There are two options for a replacement mitral valve:

You might also need to take some tests a week or two before your surgery. These tests will help your medical team assess your health. Tests might include:

In the days right before your surgery, youll have specific instructions to follow. Your doctor will give these instructions before your procedure, but general pre-surgery instructions include:

Mitral valve replacement is sometimes done as open heart surgery, which involves making a large cut through your breastbone. But there are also minimally invasive options available.

There are several steps to a mitral valve replacement procedure. Youll first be given anesthesia which will put you to sleep and ensure you dont feel any pain during the procedure. Once youre under anesthesia, your surgical team will:

Mitral valve replacement surgery takes several hours. Youll be moved to a recovery room once your surgery is complete. Nurses and other medical staff in the recovery room will monitor you as you wake up from the anesthesia before moving you to a general hospital floor.

Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) is a way to replace your valve without open heart surgery. Instead of making a large incision, your surgeon will insert a thin tube into a vein in your groin. The new valve is then guided through the tube to replace the old valve.

As of 2021, there were nine different TMVR devices being studied. None have yet been approved by the FDA.

Robot-assisted mitral valve surgery also eliminates the need for a large incision in your chest. Instead, several small incisions are made. Surgeons control the robotic device as it uses small instruments to perform the surgery.

Robot-assisted surgery typically costs more than open surgery. But the higher cost is mitigated somewhat by a shorter hospital stay after surgery.

All surgery comes with risks, and a major surgery such as mitral valve replacement isnt right for everyone. Possible risks include:

Certain people have a higher risk of complications from mitral valve replacement surgery. This includes people who:

Additionally, people who are older or whose overall health isnt a good fit for major surgery might benefit more from other treatment options.

You and your doctor can discuss your mitral valve disease, your risk factors, and if replacement is the best choice for you. They can help you weigh your options and make a decision.

Mitral valve repair can help people with mitral valve disease improve their quality of life. It can reduce symptoms and help you feel much better than you did before surgery.

Your surgery might be followed by attending a program called cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehab programs are designed to help you recover from your surgery and will teach you exercises and other tips to make the most of your new mitral valve.

Its important to adopt a healthy lifestyle when you have a replacement mitral valve. Your doctor can help you develop exactly what that means for you, but common parts of a healthy lifestyle include:

Additionally, you might have changes to your medications after a mitral valve replacement. For instance, If you received a mechanical valve replacement, youll need to take blood thinners daily.

Youll likely need to take antibiotics before any dental procedures, including cleanings. These procedures might expose you to an infection that can lead to endocarditis.

Youll have regular checkups to make sure your replacement valve is working. If you received a biological valve, it may eventually need to be replaced again.

A mitral valve replacement isnt the only option for treating mitral valve disease. In fact, other options are often preferred because they are less invasive and can preserve your original heart valve. Alternatives to mitral valve replacement include:

Medicare may cover open heart mitral valve replacement if it is medically necessary. Your doctor will need to send proof of your mitral valve disease and of any previous treatment attempts in order for Medicare to provide coverage.

But the noninvasive TVMR is not approved by the FDA, so its not covered by Medicare.

Youll likely spend about 5 days in the hospital following mitral valve replacement. Once you return home, it will take several weeks to completely recover from your surgery.

Youll be tired and sore in the first 2 or 3 weeks after surgery, but youll feel better day by day. Youll have pain medications prescribed to help you manage your recovery, and your doctor will let you know when its safe to resume your normal activities.

Some people do receive mitral valve replacement surgery and need a pacemaker at a later time, but this isnt common. For most people, mitral valve replacement surgery improves their quality of life and eliminates symptoms, such as a racing heart that might be associated with the need for a pacemaker. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned you might need a pacemaker in the future.

Mitral valve replacement surgery is a serious procedure that is done to correct problems with the mitral valve of your heart.

Sometimes, doctors can correct problems with your mitral valve with less invasive procedures like medications or nonsurgical clip insertion. When they cant, replacement surgery is an option that can improve your quality of life.

Attending a cardiac rehab program after surgery can give you the education and tools you need to make the most of your replacement heart valve.

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Mitral Valve Replacement: Procedure, Risks, and Outlook - Healthline