Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair Surgery

Location

Cardiothoracic Surgery 4802 Tenth Avenue Brooklyn, NY  12219 Map Link Phone: (718) 283-7686

Physicians and Staff

Sunil Abrol, MD Cardiothoracic Surgeon (718) 283-7685

Gregory Crooke, MD Cardiothoracic Surgeon (718) 283-7686

Israel Jacobowitz, MD Cardiothoracic Surgeon (718) 854-6100

Greg Ribakove, MD Director, Cardiothoracic Surgery Vice Chair, Surgery (718) 283-7686

Paul Saunders, MD Cardiothoracic Surgeon (718) 283-7686

Gary Stephens, MD Cardiothoracic Surgeon (718) 951-0237

Mikhail Vaynblat, MD Cardiothoracic Surgeon (718) 283-7688

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What is minimally invasive mitral valve repair surgery?

After the left atrium of the heart fills with oxygenated blood from the lungs, the mitral valve allows blood to flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle, the heart’s main pumping chamber. The mitral valve then closes to keep blood from leaking back into the left atrium or the lungs. Mitral valve stenosis occurs when the mitral valve does not open fully, restricting blood flow. Mitral valve regurgitation occurs when the mitral valve does not close all the way. If either condition is severe, open heart or minimally invasive surgery may be required to repair the mitral valve.

What are the benefits of minimally invasive mitral valve repair surgery?

Traditional or “open” heart surgery involves one long (6- to 8-inch) incision, followed by the dividing and spreading of the sternum and major muscles in the chest wall. Patients undergoing minimally invasive heart surgery receive much smaller incisions. One minimally invasive technique, used in the video, involves a 3- to 4-inch incision on the right side of the chest.

Because there is less trauma during this procedure, patients experience:

• less post-operative pain
• shorter hospital stays
• better healing and quicker recovery
• reduced bleeding and infection risk

Who is a candidate for minimally invasive mitral valve repair surgery?

Patients with severe mitral valve stenosis or mitral valve regurgitation may be candidates. Minimally invasive surgery will be the first option considered, but there may be reasons why traditional “open” chest surgery is preferable for a particular patient. This decision will be made after your consultation with the cardiothoracic surgeon.

To make an appointment with a cardiothoracic surgeon, please call (718) 283-7686. For more information about mitral valve surgery at Maimonides, click here.