About Mitral Valve Repair
Key Highlights
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Preserves the patient's own heart valve, offering superior long-term durability compared to replacement.Eliminates the need for lifelong anticoagulation (blood thinners) required with mechanical valve replacements.Lowers the risk of future infections (endocarditis) compared to prosthetic valves.Helps maintain better overall heart function and geometry.Can often be performed using minimally invasive or robotic-assisted techniques, leading to smaller scars and potentially faster recovery.
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation (leaky valve) causing shortness of breath, fatigue, or heart failure.
- Asymptomatic severe mitral regurgitation with signs of worsening heart function (like reduced ejection fraction) or heart chamber enlargement.
- Mitral valve prolapse (Barlow's disease or fibroelastic deficiency) with significant regurgitation.
- Degenerative mitral valve disease, often due to age-related wear and tear.
- Certain cases of mitral stenosis (narrowed valve) if the valve is suitable for repair.
- Infective endocarditis (valve infection) that has damaged the valve but is now controlled.
- Traumatic injury to the mitral valve apparatus.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive cardiac evaluation including echocardiogram (TTE/TEE), ECG, and possibly cardiac catheterization.
- Pre-operative blood tests, chest X-ray, and assessment of kidney function.
- Consultation with the cardiac surgeon, anesthesiologist, and possibly a cardiologist.
- Discontinuation of certain medications like blood thinners (aspirin, warfarin, etc.) as advised by the doctor.
- Management of other health conditions like diabetes or hypertension to optimize surgical safety.
- Fasting for 8-12 hours before the surgery.
- Pre-operative shower with antiseptic soap to reduce skin bacteria.
- Discussion of anesthesia and post-operative pain management plans.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: Bleeding, infection at the incision site, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Cardiac-specific risks: Stroke, heart attack, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation), or low cardiac output.
- Procedure-related risks: Incomplete repair leading to residual regurgitation or causing new stenosis.
- Rare complications: Damage to surrounding structures, blood clot formation, kidney dysfunction, or need for emergency re-operation.
- Long-term risks: Potential for repair failure over years, requiring a future valve replacement.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial 1-2 days in the Cardiac ICU for close monitoring of heart function, vital signs, and drainage tubes.
- Progressive mobilization, starting with sitting in a chair and walking short distances with assistance.
- Pain management with medications; incision care to prevent infection.
- Breathing exercises and incentive spirometry to prevent lung complications.
- Discharge with detailed instructions on activity restrictions (no heavy lifting for 6-8 weeks), wound care, and medication schedule.
- Cardiac rehabilitation program is strongly recommended to safely rebuild strength and endurance.
- Regular follow-up appointments with the cardiologist, including echocardiograms to monitor valve function.
- Gradual return to normal activities and work over 6-12 weeks, depending on the nature of the job.
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Typical hospital stay: 5-8 days
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Expected recovery time: 6-12 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering mitral valve repair in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for mitral valve repair in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform mitral valve repair. MediFyr helps you compare cardiac surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for mitral valve repair compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Mitral Valve Repair in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated cardiac surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing mitral valve repair.
Aadya Shah, a 42-year-old software engineer...
Aadya Shah, a 42-year-old software engineer and mother of two young children, had always been active. Over the past year, she noticed a gradual decline in her stamina. She became breathless climbing the stairs to her apartment, a task she once did effortlessly. Persistent fatigue set in, making it hard to keep up with her kids. A routine check-up revealed a heart murmur, and an echocardiogram confirmed severe mitral valve regurgitation due to a prolapsed valve. Her cardiologist explained that her heart was working overtime, and without repair, she risked permanent heart damage. The recommendation was a minimally invasive robotic mitral valve repair to preserve her own tissue and ensure long-term durability. Aadya was terrified; the thought of heart surgery filled her with dread for her family's future. The surgery went smoothly. Her recovery in the hospital was closely monitored, with initial pain managed well. Back home, she followed a strict cardiac rehab regimen. Within three months, her energy returned. She can now play in the park with her children without gasping for air. The emotional relief was profound. The constant background anxiety of her declining health has been replaced by gratitude and a renewed zest for life, though she still has moments of reflection on the fragility of health.
Cardiac surgeons for Mitral Valve Repair
Explore experienced cardiac surgeons who regularly perform mitral valve repair and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 31 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiac surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 37 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 30 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
- 31 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 30 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 23 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 37 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 8 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 17 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore