Mitral valve disease and surgery

In minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, the incision is much smaller — about 3 inches instead of the 6 to 8 inches required for traditional cardiac surgery. The surgery can be completed with small incisions through the lower breastbone — which means a shorter healing time and hospital stay, less scarring, reduced pain and a lower chance of infection. Find a surgeon who performs robotic-assisted surgery.

For patients diagnosed with chronic atrial fibrillation (AFib) and mitral valve disease, valve repair and a maze procedure can be performed at the same time. The maze procedure can be done surgically and through minimally invasive procedures called the mini-maze and hybrid maze. AFib is dangerous because it can cause blood to pool in the upper chambers, leading to blood clots. A stroke can occur if a blood clot travels from the heart and blocks a small artery in the brain.

The procedure typically adds only about 20 to 30 minutes to the surgery and can be effective in eliminating AFib. Learn more about how this procedure can reduce the risk of stroke, reduce dependence on blood-thinners, and eliminate AFib entirely.

The MitraClip® procedure is a treatment for patients unable to have open-heart surgery due to age or other medical conditions. The device is inserted through the femoral vein — a blood vessel in the leg — to clip together a portion of the mitral valve, allowing the heart to pump blood more efficiently.