Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery To Treat Valvular Prolapse
Blood flows from your left atrium (one of your heart’s two upper chambers) to your left ventricle (one of two lower chambers) through the mitral valve (MV). When your atrium contracts, the MV opens and lets blood flow into the ventricle. Normally, the valve closes and prevents blood from flowing back into the atrium when the ventricle contracts. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a condition in which one of the valve’s flaps (or leaflets) opens back into the atrium during the ventricle’s contractions. The opening allows blood to flow back into the upper chamber, causing an event known as regurgitation.
MVP is rarely life-threatening. In fact, many people who “suffer” from the disorder are unaware they have it. However, when patients develop symptoms, a doctor may recommend surgically repairing the defective valve. In this article, we’ll describe the symptoms that occasionally occur with MVP and explain how the problem is resolved with minimally invasive mitral valve (MIMV) surgery.
Potential Symptoms Of MVP
As noted, many people do not show symptoms of prolapse. And when symptoms do manifest, they can occur with widely different levels of severity. If the condition is causing persistent regurgitation, your heart will be unable to send blood throughout your body as effectively as it should. As a result, you may experience a shortness of breath and dizziness after physical activity. You might also notice an irregular heartbeat and chest pain. When these symptoms occur, make an appointment with your physician.
Diagnosis And Treatment
Your doctor may first notice the existence of prolapse through his or her stethoscope while performing a routine physical exam. The disorder is marked by a clicking noise. However, that is not sufficient evidence that the condition exists to the exclusion of other potential factors. Further tests are performed to confirm your doctor’s suspicion.
He or she may take X-rays and order an echocardiogram to study images of your chest. An MRI, stress test, and cardiac catheterization may also be performed. Once mitral valve prolapse has been diagnosed, your physician will determine whether surgery is appropriate.
Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery is usually reserved for severe regurgitation. While the procedure is less invasive than an open chest operation, there are still potential risks. If your doctor decides that surgery is the best approach, he or she will determine the severity of your MV’s defect. If the valve is severely damaged, it may need to be replaced. However, if there is an opportunity to repair the mitral valve (for example, by performing a triangular resection or chordal transfer), that is the preferred approach. A replacement introduces a higher risk of infection and requires long-term use of anticoagulants.
If you suffer from severe regurgitation due to MVP, consult your doctor regarding whether minimally invasive mitral valve repair is a viable option.
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