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How Long Does A Mitral Valve Repair Last?

Surgical intervention is required in the condition where the mitral valve is severely damaged. Either the valve is repaired or is replaced. The preferred strategy is to repair the valve due to the side effects associated with the artificial valve.[1]

How Many Years Does A Mitral Valve Repair Last?

The durability of the mitral valve repair is good in the conditions where the mitral valve prolapse is due to the degenerative disease.

Several studies are conducted that concludes that the durability of the mitral valve repair is excellent. It has also been found that the durability of the mitral valve repair in most of the patients is approximately 20 years and the need for reoperation is quite low.[2]

Durability also depends upon the repair of one leaflet, either anterior or posterior or both of the leaflets. Repair in either anterior or posterior leaflet has high durability and reduced need of reoperation as compared to repairing both leaflets. If the mitral valve repair involves only single leaflet, the durability is of 20 years for 90% of patients while repair involving both the leaflets hold for 20 years in 80% of the patients.[3]

It has also been found through studies that mitral valve repair should be the preferred mode of surgery as compared to mitral valve replacement due to side effects associated with the artificial mitral valve.

Mitral Valve Repair

Mitral valve repair is the surgery done to repair the mitral valve, which controls the flow of blood from the left auricle to the left ventricle. There are two types of surgery related to the mitral valve prolapse. One is the mitral valve repair and another is the mitral valve replacement.

Initially, in serious conditions, the only surgical option existing was the mitral valve replacement as there was no method available for repairing the severely damaged valve. However, the artificially replaced valves lead to high risk of stroke.

Further, in the prosthetic mitral valve, there was a risk of infection which is serious and difficult to treat the condition.[4]

Also, the patient with an artificial mitral valve has to take blood thinners such as aspirin for the rest of their lives leading to patient’s non-compliance and increased side effects.[5]

With the advent of new technology, the robotic mitral valve repair is also available in the United States. Further, research is also in process in the United States for the process which does not require any major cardiac intervention. This process is currently available in the United Kingdom and is known as percutaneous mitral valve repair.

Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral valve is the valve present on the left side of the heart. This valve regulates the flow of blood from the left auricle to the left ventricle. Due to various reasons, abnormality develops in mitral valve due to which the flow of blood becomes bi-directional. This leads to mitral regurgitation. The symptoms experienced are fatigue, shortness of breath, rapid heart beat and swelling in ankles and feet.[6]

Risk Factors For Mitral Valve Prolapse

Various factors increase the risk of mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation. These factors are as follows:

Heart Disease. Various cardiac diseases such as atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease increase the risk of mitral valve prolapse.

Medications. Certain medications such as ergotamine and cabergoline increase the risk of mitral valve prolapse.

Family History Of Faulty Valves. Patients who have a family history of the abnormal mitral valve are at higher risk of developing mitral valve prolapse.

Infections. Infections such as endocarditis and rheumatic fever increases the risk of mitral valve prolapse as they affect the tissues to which the mitral valve is attached.[7]

Age. Natural deterioration with age also causes mitral valve prolapse.

Congenital Heart Disease. Patient with congenital heart disease are also at greater risk of developing mitral valve prolapse.[8]

Conclusion

With the improved technology, the durability of the mitral valve repair is good. Most of the patient does not need a reoperation for 20 years. Research is under process to improve the surgical process less invasive as possible.

References:

Also Read:

Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:September 15, 2022

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