Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair: A Modern Approach to Heart Health
24 Feb, 2025
The human heart contains four chambers. Each of these valves is responsible for maintaining the proper blood flow from the heart and throughout the body. However, in the blog, we will be discussing insights from the Best Cardiac Surgeon in India at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, associated with mitral valves and the repair of these four valves.
The mitral valve is responsible for controlling the blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. In the case of any malfunctioning diseases, this blood flow is impaired, causing blood flow to get restricted or flow back into the atrium. This usually happens due to damage to this valve. Now, the damage can be repaired only via surgery. The traditional surgery required a huge incision, cutting down through the breastbone and rib cages, causing prolonged recovery periods, pain, and a lot of complications. Thanks to modern approaches to heart health, the surgery can now be performed as a minimally invasive procedure. Let’s learn how this procedure is a modern approach and appealing.
What is Mitral Valve Disease?
The mitral valve is one of the four valves of the human heart. It is located right between the left atrium and the left ventricle. It is responsible for ensuring the blood flow in the right direction. Malfunctioning of this valve can lead to severe and life-threatening complications.
These complications are mentioned below:
Mitral Regurgitation (MR): When the valve does not close properly, causing blood to flow backward into the atrium.
Mitral Stenosis: When the valve becomes stiff or narrow, causing restricted blood flow.
Mitral Valve Prolapse: When the valve’s leaflets become stretchy and bulge into the left atrium of the heart, causing blood to leak backward into the left atrium.
How Can Mitral Valve Repair Be Minimally Invasive?
Here’s a breakdown of how minimally invasive mitral valve repair is typically performed:
Small Incisions: Instead of opening the chest, surgeons make smaller incisions, often between the ribs or in other less-invasive areas.
Camera Guidance: A tiny camera (endoscope) is inserted through one of the incisions, providing surgeons with a clear view of the heart’s interior and allowing detailed navigation to perform surgery.
Robotic Assistance: In some cases, surgeons use robotic-assisted technology for more precise control. This approach minimized the incision even more, making it easier to repair the mitral valve with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues.
Valve Repair: The surgery involves reshaping or reattaching the mitral valve’s leaflets. Moreover, it also involves tightening of the ring around the valve.
Closing the Incisions: Once the repair is complete, the incisions are closed with sutures, and the patient is monitored closely in the recovery room.
Advantages of Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair
The advantages of minimally invasive mitral valve repair are:
Minimally invasive mitral valve repair represents a major advancement in cardiac surgery with a safer, more efficient, and less traumatic alternative to traditional open-heart surgery.
If you are seeking a consultation for Mitral Valve Repair in India, you can consult with Dr. Sujay Shad at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Book your consultation today!
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