theRED decision

To Repair or Replace

Surgery is required for severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR).
Surgery for MR is recommended when you have symptoms of heart failure, or when your ejection fraction drops below 60% and/or your left ventricle is larger than 40 mm at rest. Surgery for mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is only done if you have mitral valve regurgitation.

Both valve repair and replacement are typically open-heart surgeries. There are minimally invasive types of surgery, but because of my particular problem, I do not qualify for this kind of surgery. The decision between repairing or replacing the valve depends on the type of damage to the mitral valve.

For instance, repair is more successful if there is limited damage to certain areas of the mitral valve flaps (leaflets) or to the tough fibers that control movement of the mitral valve leaflets (chordae tendineae). But replacement is usually preferred for people who have a hard, calcified mitral valve ring (annulus) or widespread damage to the valve and surrounding tissue.

Ring Annuloplasty — The annulus, or ring-like part of the valve, is tightened by placing a flexible ring of metal, cloth or tissue around the damaged valve.

Valve Repair — The damaged leaflets, chordae, and/or papillary muscles of the valve are surgically reconstructed.

Surgery involves the removal of the badly damaged valve. The valve is replaced with a plastic or metal mechanical valve, or a bioprosthetic valve, which is usually made from pig tissue. The damaged valve is cut out, and the new valve is sewn into place. (Means taking Blood thinners forever)

My surgeon believes that I will be able to have a repair done, which is great to know. It's what he specializes in and I'm hoping that once he get inside that will be the case.