Mitral Valve Disease

Overview

The mitral valve ensures that blood returning from the lungs flows forward from the left atrium and into the left ventricle. The left ventricle then pumps blood to the rest of the body. However, if the valve leaks when it should be closed (mitral valve regurgitation), or if the valve becomes narrowed (mitral valve stenosis) or becomes obstructed (mitral valve prolapse), the amount of blood that can be pumped from the heart to the body is compromised and can lead to enlargement of the heart.

Problems with the mitral valve may lead to irreversible changes that prevent the heart from pumping properly, which is why experts now recommend early surgery for mitral valve disease to prevent these irreversible changes.

The best option for treating mitral valve disease is to repair the damaged valve via mitral valve repair surgery. Hoag’s expert cardiac surgery team repairs more heart valves than 90 percent of all cardiac programs in the nation. However, when a valve is badly damaged, valve repair may not be an option. In this case, mitral valve replacement may be performed. In addition, Hoag also offers minimally-invasive robotic mitral valve surgery for select patients.

Top Rated Valvular Heart Disease Program

The Nancy & Bill Thompson Heart Valve Center is one of a handful of clinics nationwide dedicated to state-of-the-art screening, diagnosis, and treatment of valvular heart disease. Learn more about Hoag’s top rated valvular heart disease program:

• Early Detection Program
• Experience and Outcomes
• Physician Expertise
• Innovative Technology & Treatment
• State-of-the-Art Patient-Centered Care
• Consultation and Screening Appointment​​