Mitral valve surgery

In over 90 percent of cases, the altered valve can be surgically or interventionally reconstructed, and its natural function restored. In extreme cases or if there is too much structural change, it must be replaced with a biological or mechanical prosthesis. Minimally invasive as well as classic surgical procedures using the heart-lung machine are suitable for this.

In the case of an isolated prolapse of the posterior leaflet, a minimally invasive procedure on the beating heart using the "NeoChord" method can possibly be performed. An instrument is introduced over a small approach route on the chest, with which the defective mitral leaflet is grasped and re-tightened and secured using newly introduced GoreTex threads so that the valve closes again.

If the surgical risk for mitral insufficiency is too high, for example, due to comorbidities or high age, the closure ability of the mitral valve can also be restored using a clip. The so-called edge-to-edge procedure is carried out on the beating heart under ultrasound control and fluoroscopy. The position of the clip is checked and, if necessary, corrected. The procedure is carried out under general anesthesia, and the hospital stay lasts only a few days.