Mitral valve replacement

Mitral valve replacement is an open heart surgery (which involves a cut or an incision in the chest). This can be done also by a minimally invasive surgery which uses smaller incisions in the chest which, in turn, requires a shorter stay in the hospital, a quicker recovery and less pain than an open-heart surgery.

The surgery is undertaken to replace a poorly working mitral valve with an artificial valve. Mitral valce is one of the heart’s four valves and it helps blood flow throught the heart and out to the body. Most people do not require a follow up operation after a mitral valve replacement; usully an annual echocardiogram is suggested.

What is mitral valve replacement?

It is a type of surgery to fix or replace a leaky or stiff mitral valve of the heart. The mitral valve is between the left heart chambers (the left atrium and left ventricle).

This surgery has risks, as do all surgeries. The most serious complications include stroke, placement of a pace maker, kidney failure or wound infection. However, these are rare complications.

The surgery involves the use of cardio-pulmonary bypass machine also known as a heart-lung machine which temporarily takes over the functions of the heart and lungs, diverting blood from the heart so the surgeon can operate. The surgery usually takes between two to four hours.

The question uppermost in the minds of patients is the quality of life after such procedures. Usually, our experience has been that people who have undergone such procedures live a full and normal life. Hospitalisation usually lasts for five to seven days and recovery can take up to three months.

There are three disorders associated with mitral valves:
1. Mitral valve stenois: in which the valve flaps become thicker and stiff
2. Mitral valve prolapse; the mitral valve flaps become too stretchy and bulge into your left ventricle
3. Mitral valve regurgitation (i.e., when the aortic valve does not close): called a leaky valve

The symptoms of this condition occur when the mitral valve lets blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle- these two chambers of he heart hold oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pump that blood to your body. When the mitral valve becomes diseased or damaged, it does not work as efficiently. When the damage to the mitral valve is mild, there are no visible symptoms; however, when the damage is severe, it can harm the heart and over time lead to heart failure.

The causes of this disease range from acute psychological stress which can lead to mitral valve damage in some people. Prevention or reducing harm to the mitral valve will entail managing your blood pressure, eating heart-healthy foods, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, avoid or limit alcohol, avoid tobacco and check your health regularly.