Benefits of Mitral Valve Repair
A majority of other heart surgeons have come to rely on mechanical replacement valves mainly because of their durability. The drawback is that patients have to take anti-coagulants the rest of their lives, which are not without risks or side effects. For example, relatively young women of child-bearing age would have to take these medications for decades. Animal tissue valves are another option, but these replacement valves tend to wear out after ten to fifteen years. For a young adult, that could mean two or three additional operations.
Our surgeons have learned that mitral valve repair for patients with mitral valve insufficiency is extremely durable and is associated with less valve-related complications than mitral valve replacement surgery. This experience has influenced the decision-making analysis for patient selection and patients are now frequently referred for surgery early based on echocardiographic findings of progressive left ventricular dysfunction. In most cases, surgery is now recommended prior to the development of clinical symptoms. These findings have changed the standards of care and have improved outcomes and enhanced quality of life.
What makes our mitral Valve Repair Center unique is that we have been following every one of our patients for over thirty years from the beginning, having the patient return for annual checkups and echocardiograms. From the data collected, NYU has published numerous reports demonstrating the benefits of mitral valve repair:
- Spares the patient's natural mitral valve
- Avoids lifelong use of blood-thinners
- Less bleeding
- Fewer infections
- Lower valve related complications
- Lower risk for endocarditis
- Better heart function
- Higher Survival Rate
