Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery

For both stenosis and regurgitation, valve repair surgery is typically preferred over valve replacement surgery. But if repair surgery is not a good option, replacement surgery might be recommended.

An artificial mitral valve cannot work as well as a normal mitral valve. So your doctor will likely recommend valve replacement only if it necessary. It might be necessary if the valve has deteriorated to the point that repair is not an option or if the anatomy of the valve has been changed by one or more repair procedures and can no longer be repaired.

You and your doctor will also consider your age and your overall health when you are deciding whether to have surgery.

Mitral Valve Regurgitation

For acute mitral valve regurgitation, surgery is done immediately to replace or repair the valve.

For chronic regurgitation, surgery might be recommended if:^{Reference 1}

• You have symptoms.
• Regurgitation is severe.
• Your heart has pumping problems (low Reference ejection fraction Opens New Window).
• Your left ventricle is larger than normal.

Surgery is usually delayed if no symptoms or signs of heart failure are present. People who have severe mitral valve regurgitation, no physical symptoms, and whose Reference left ventricle Opens New Window is functioning normally may be monitored every 6 to 12 months by their doctor. If follow-up testing shows enlargement or abnormal function of the left ventricle, surgery is typically recommended.

Mitral Valve Stenosis

Surgery for mitral valve stenosis might be recommended if:^{Reference 1}

• Symptoms are present.
• Stenosis is severe.
• Balloon valvotomy is not an option.
• Mitral valve regurgitation is also present.

Valve replacement surgery will likely be recommended if you need surgery but cannot have balloon valvotomy or the commissurotomy surgery to repair your mitral valve.

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