Mitral valve replacement is the substitution of a defective mitral valve with a synthetic analog, which can be of biological or mechanical origin.
Indications for Surgery
The mitral valve in the human heart is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. Its function is to prevent blood from flowing backward from the ventricles into the atria. Mitral valve replacement is performed when it is impossible to perform a resection of the valve leaflets due to the formation of adhesions.
Diseases that may lead to surgery:
- Congenital or acquired heart defects that cause significant damage to the structure and function of the mitral valve, while being unsuitable for repair
- Bacterial septic endocarditis, which is exacerbated by significant and rapidly progressing heart failure
- Damage to the mitral valve caused by rapidly progressing rheumatism.
Diagnosis
At the leading clinic in Israel, Ichilov, before performing mitral valve replacement surgery, the patient will undergo a series of advanced diagnostic procedures:
- Ultrasound
- Electrocardiogram
- Computed and magnetic resonance imaging
- Endoscopic examination of the mitral valve – assessment of the valve's performance
- Comprehensive laboratory blood analysis.
In addition to taking the medical history, detailed consultations with leading specialists in the field of cardiac surgery and anesthesiology are conducted at Ichilov Clinic.
Procedure for Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery in Israel
The surgical intervention begins with the patient being placed under general anesthesia. They are connected to a system of artificial ventilation and circulation. A longitudinal incision is then made in the middle of the chest. The cardiac surgeon then makes another longitudinal incision to open the left atrium. Next, the affected, deformed leaflets of the mitral valve are excised along the fibrous ring behind the interatrial groove. The papillary muscles along with the chords that hold the valve are also excised. Then, along the fibrous ring, the cardiac surgeon places specially shaped sutures. The ends of the threads used for the suturing are passed through the tissues of the cuff of the ball prosthesis. After this, the prosthesis is positioned in the physiological position of the mitral valve. Using another method, minimally invasive mitral valve replacement in Israel is performed with only a few minimal incisions. At Ichilov Clinic, this operation is performed using specialized high-tech instruments and the latest endoscopic equipment.
Advantages of the Method:
- Minimal surgical trauma in the area of the patient's chest
- The patient's condition improves immediately, even on the operating table – the new artificial mitral valve prosthesis begins to function right away
- The risk of complications in the future is reduced to zero
- This type of surgical intervention occurs much faster, as micro incisions do not require large volumes of surgical sutures
- This also means that cosmetic defects will be unnoticeable
- The minimally invasive technique ensures rapid rehabilitation of the patient