Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair
405.610.DOCS(3627)
Mitral Valve Disease
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| Our Heart Surgeons |
KathyLee Santangelo,
M.D., F.A.C.S.
M.D., F.A.C.S.
Abbas Toughanipour, M.D.
Mitral Valve Disease
The mitral valve is a complex structure that controls blood flow through the left side of
the heart. When open, the mitral valve allows blood to flow into the heart’s main
pumping chamber, the left ventricle. When the left ventricle contracts to push blood
through the body, the mitral valve closes to prevent blood from flowing back toward
the lungs.
Sometimes the mitral valve is abnormal from birth or becomes damaged by infection.
More often, mitral valve structures become damaged with age or from coronary artery
disease.
Whatever the cause, an abnormal or damaged mitral valve cannot completely seal the
heart’s left ventricle. With an incomplete seal, blood can escape the left ventricle and
flow backwards through the mitral valve. This conflicting force can make the heart
work harder, leading to further mitral valve damage and other potential complications
such as congestive heart failure.
Robotic Mitral Valve Repair
Surgical repair involves delicate reconstruction of native valve tissues in order to
restore proper function. The traditional approach to repair requires the surgeon to
saw open the breastbone and spread the ribs to gain direct access to the heart.
Cutting the sternum and opening the rib cage — the body’s natural protective
structure for the heart — can prolong healing time, increase risk of infection, serious
complications and even mortality. At the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, mitral
valves are repaired with robotic surgery, offering many advantages for the patient.
The mitral valve is a complex structure that controls blood flow through the left side of
the heart. When open, the mitral valve allows blood to flow into the heart’s main
pumping chamber, the left ventricle. When the left ventricle contracts to push blood
through the body, the mitral valve closes to prevent blood from flowing back toward
the lungs.
Sometimes the mitral valve is abnormal from birth or becomes damaged by infection.
More often, mitral valve structures become damaged with age or from coronary artery
disease.
Whatever the cause, an abnormal or damaged mitral valve cannot completely seal the
heart’s left ventricle. With an incomplete seal, blood can escape the left ventricle and
flow backwards through the mitral valve. This conflicting force can make the heart
work harder, leading to further mitral valve damage and other potential complications
such as congestive heart failure.
Robotic Mitral Valve Repair
Surgical repair involves delicate reconstruction of native valve tissues in order to
restore proper function. The traditional approach to repair requires the surgeon to
saw open the breastbone and spread the ribs to gain direct access to the heart.
Cutting the sternum and opening the rib cage — the body’s natural protective
structure for the heart — can prolong healing time, increase risk of infection, serious
complications and even mortality. At the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, mitral
valves are repaired with robotic surgery, offering many advantages for the patient.
| Advantages of Minimally Invasive Robotic Mitral Valve Repair: |
- Less Chance of
Infection
- Less Bleeding
- Less Scarring
- Much Smaller Incisions
- Less Recovery Time