When a valve becomes insufficient or incompetent, blood flow leaks back through the valve. This puts extra strain on the heart, as it must pump additional blood during each heartbeat. Valve repair operations reconstruct the patient's own valve to improve the function of both the valve and the heart.
The mitral valve is formed like a small parachute. The valve is repaired by placing a supportive ring around the rim, or annulus, of the valve. Small portions of the valve leaflets may be removed if there is extra valve tissue. Synthetic cords, or neochordae, are fashioned from thin, flexible sutures to provide additional strength and support to the valve leaflets.
Less invasive surgical options are available for certain patients. Minithoracotomy requires a small incision in the right chest in order to perform the valve repair. This procedure reduces the amount of discomfort and allows patients to return to normal activity more rapidly.