Mitral Valve Surgery

Mitral valve surgery is a surgical operation performed if you have a serious mitral valve problem or your mitral valve problem is causing symptoms. A mitral valve is the valve located between your left heart chambers.

Mitral valve problems include:

• Mitral valve prolapse - where your mitral valve is too floppy and does not close tightly.
• Mitral regurgitation - where the mitral valve does not close properly and leaks leading to some blood flowing the wrong way in your heart.
• Mitral stenosis - where your mitral valve does not open as wide as it should and this restricts the flow of blood through your heart.

There are three main types of mitral valve surgery.

• Mitral valve repair – makes the flaps of your mitral valve stay closer together. It is carried out to treat mitral valve prolapse or regurgitation.
• Mitral valve replacement - replaces your mitral valve with a new one that can be artificial or made from animal tissue. Usually performed for mitral stenosis or prolapse, or mitral regurgitation if you are unable to have a valve repair.
• Balloon valvuloplasty – where the mitral valve is stretched and widened with a small balloon, used to treat mitral stenosis.

In some cases, mitral valve surgery is performed using minimally invasive heart surgery that is performed through small cuts in your chest.

You should have mitral valve surgery if you have a serious mitral valve problem or if your mitral valve problem is causing symptoms.

Treatment for mitral valve disease depends on the severity of the problem, if you're experiencing symptoms, and if your mitral valve problem is getting worse. You may have cardiac tests, a physical examination and a review of your medical history before your doctor recommends the most appropriate treatment for you.

Initially, if you do not have symptoms and your mitral valve condition is mild then you might not need treatment and regular check-ups to monitor your condition may be advised. If you have symptoms, then medications may be prescribed.

Eventually, your mitral valve may require surgery to repair, widen or replace it. You may have severe mitral valve regurgitation but not experience symptoms and your surgeon may recommend surgery as it can improve the long-term outcomes.

If you need heart surgery for another condition as well as a mitral valve problem then your surgeon may treat both conditions in the same surgery.

Your doctor will advise on the best course of treatment for you together with its benefits and risks.

The recovery process after a mitral valve surgery will depend on how your surgery is performed. Also, everyone recovers at different rates.

Typical recovery time is four to eight weeks if you have had mitral valve open-heart surgery. This may be shorter if it is performed using minimally invasive surgery.

You will be advised about cardiac rehabilitation including a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, not smoking, taking heart medicines and reducing stress.

You will gradually regain your energy and be able to return to your normal activities

We will arrange a follow-up appointment to check how you are doing during your recovery.

You will receive a formal quotation price for your mitral valve surgery following your consultation and any required tests with one of our expert cardiothoracic surgeons. This formal quote for your mitral valve surgery will be valid for 60 days and includes unlimited aftercare.

Ramsay is recognised by all major medical insurers. Mitral valve surgery is covered by most medical insurance policies. We advise you to obtain written authorisation from your insurance provider before your mitral valve surgery.

We have a number of finance options if you are paying for your mitral valve surgery yourself. These include:

• Interest-free finance – 0% interest, no deposit and affordable monthly instalments.
• All-inclusive Total Care - one-off pre-agreed payment for access to all the treatment and aftercare you need for complete reassurance.
• Pay as you go – flexible funding to pay for your treatment as and when costs arise. Often used if your treatment costs are difficult to assess.