Severe mitral valve leakage is a serious condition which reduces both the quality and length life. Unfortunately, too many patients are still treated with medication until complications such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure occur. Even in this advanced state heart surgery to repair the mitral valve is still associated with better outcomes compared to medical treatment.
Occasionally, patients have developed very advanced heart failure, or perhaps have other medical problems that make surgery too risky. In this setting most patients are told that there is nothing else that can be done.
Recent developments in this field have been moving at a very rapid pace and newer device technologies are showing promise in treating patients who were previously unsuitable for surgical therapy.
The first comment to make in this regard is that keyhole mitral valve repair performed through a mini-cut between the ribs on the right hand side of the chest is increasingly used by experienced surgeons to treat higher risk patients with excellent outcomes.
In those cases where even keyhole heart surgery is not possible, a newer treatment, known as MitraClip, is showing real promise. In this treatment, a catheter is passed through a vein in the groin and a clip is deployed to reduced the leakage across the mitral valve flaps. In a recent trial (called COAPT) patients experienced an improved sense of wellbeing, reduced hospital readmission, and increased life span compared to patients treated with medicines alone.
The team at The Keyhole Heart Clinic recognise the importance of these newer treatments and we have created a Specialised Mitral Valve Clinic on Harley Street, London. Our team of internationally recognised experts can advice you on the best treatment available for your mitral valve leak. If you would like to know more about how we can help call us on 02080640535 or send us an online request via our contact page.
Credits:
Image from https://mitraclip.com/mitraclip-procedure/
