Mitral Valve Repair & Replacement

Heart Experts Offer Mitral Valve Treatment Options

Mitral valve surgery helps remediate symptoms and improve the quality of life for people with mitral valve disease. Wellstar’s team of cardiovascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists offer procedures to replace or repair the mitral valve.

Who needs mitral valve repair or replacement?

Symptoms of mitral valve disease may include shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, palpitation and fluid retention. Many people with mitral disease often develop heart failure. The mitral valve is between the left atrium and left ventricle, two of the four heart chambers. Mitral valve repair or replacement may be required depending on the type of mitral valve dysfunction:

• Severe mitral valve regurgitation, also known as a leaky mitral valve, occurs when the flaps of the mitral valve — the leaflets — cannot close tightly and blood flows backward rather than being pumped forward in the right direction. This condition is often seen in people with mitral valve prolapse. Your cardiac surgeon will determine if mitral repair or mitral replacement is best, depending on the structure of the mitral valve and the degree of dysfunction.
• Severe mitral valve stenosis occurs when the valve leaflets are thick or stiff, causing reduced forward blood flow and making the heart work harder to pump blood through the constricted valve. Mitral valve replacement is the only surgical treatment option for mitral stenosis.

Mitral valve treatment options

• Traditional open heart mitral valve surgery 
• Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery
• Transcatheter mitral valve repair (MitraClip™)

Mitral valve open surgery

During traditional open mitral valve surgery, cardiac surgeons make an incision in the patient’s chest. If it is possible to repair the valve, they patch holes, fix leaflets, or repair the structure of the valve by replacing the cords that support it. When a repair is not possible, the surgeon replaces the valve with a mechanical or biological valve.

Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery

Some people who need mitral valve repairs or replacements may be candidates for minimally invasive surgery. This option involves smaller incisions in the chest and typically a shorter hospital stay with faster healing.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair and replacement (MitraClip™)

For some patients with primary mitral regurgitation and secondary mitral regurgitation, MitraClip™ offers another minimally invasive approach. In this procedure, an interventional cardiologist guides a thin tube and tools through the vein to perform mitral valve repair.

Cardiac rehabilitation after mitral valve surgery

To assist in regaining your strength after surgery, your cardiac surgeon will recommend Cardiac Rehab at one of Wellstar’s many outpatient locations. The Cardiac Rehab team will work with you to develop an exercise regimen, monitor you during your exercise sessions, and provide support and education to help you live a healthier life.


Learn about the highly skilled surgical care you'll receive through Wellstar's cardiovascular surgery program.