The mitral valve plays an important role in maintaining overall health. However, this means if the mitral valve succumbs to any disease or injury, it can affect one’s quality of life. If one has been diagnosed with problems in the mitral valve, one must be curious to learn more about the procedure as well as what happens during a mitral valve repair surgery. This article by a leading heart doctor, Dr. Sujay Shad, who specializes in performing safe and effective mitral valve repair in India, will detail what a mitral valve is, the signs and symptoms of mitral valve issues, and what happens during the procedure.

What is a Mitral Valve?

The human heart is a vital organ that pumps blood throughout the body to supply different tissues and organs with nutrients and oxygen. It contains four chambers: two atria (upper chambers) and two ventricles (bottom chambers). The left side of the heart circulates blood throughout the body with oxygen. The mitral valve, which is situated between the left atrium and left ventricle, is an essential part of the heart. It also controls the flow of blood from the atrium to the ventricle. With every heartbeat, the mitral valve opens up to allow the blood to pass through. Once filled, the valve closes and prevents the blood from flowing backward.

If the mitral valve disease is mild, the leading heart doctor in Delhi will suggest regular checkups to monitor the heart’s health. The patient could be prescribed medications to manage symptoms rather than surgery. There are multiple conditions that might damage the mitral valve and cause dysfunction. The two most common issues are mitral valve stenosis, which narrows the valve opening, and regurgitation, which causes blood to flow backward into the atrium. These problems often result from congenital defects or infections which affect the valve’s ability to function properly, necessitating mitral valve repair.

What are the Symptoms Indicating Mitral Valve Issues?

The symptoms of mitral valve issues vary depending on the patient’s specific problem. Patients experiencing issues with their mitral valve may notice the following:

• Shortness of Breath: Abnormal breathing difficulties or shortness of breath, particularly while lying down or during physical exertion, may indicate problems with the mitral valve. This frequently results from inadequate blood flow through the heart.
• Tiredness: Feeling excessively tired, even with minimal physical exertion, can also be a sign of issues with the mitral valve.
• Swelling: The inability of the heart to pump blood efficiently may result in fluid retention and swelling, especially in the legs and ankles.
• Heart Palpitations: There may be irregular or fast heartbeats or palpitations. The heart may have to pump more blood to compensate for the dysfunction of the mitral valve.

It is important to seek medical help if any of these symptoms are present. Mitral valve issues, if left untreated, can lead to more severe complications and affect the overall functioning of the heart. Dr. Sujay Shad, a renowned heart doctor, can conduct diagnostic tests to identify specific concerns and recommend effective procedures.

What Happens During Mitral Valve Repair Procedure?

Since every patient is different, certain parts of a mitral valve repair differ. The steps involved in a mitral valve repair procedure vary depending on the nature and extent of the valve damage. However, there are some general steps that every patient can expect. Patients undergo a preoperative assessment to assess their overall health and suitability for the procedure. The surgeon will discuss the procedure, its benefits, and any potential risks associated with the procedure.

Before the surgery, the patient is administered general anesthesia to ensure they are unconscious and pain-free during the procedure. The heart surgeon then makes a surgical incision, typically in the chest, to access the heart. The choice of the incision varies. The surgeon can use minimally invasive techniques in some cases.

The patient is connected to a heart-lung machine. This takes the functions of the heart and the lungs and allows the surgeon to stop the heart for repair temporarily. After that, the surgeon opens the heart’s chambers to view the mitral valve. This allows direct access to the damaged valve. Many patients may undergo minimally invasive procedures that use robots to make small incisions and leave small scars rather than large ones.

Depending on specific issues, the surgeon uses various repair techniques. These may include:

• Stitching up torn valve leaflets
• Reshaping the excess tissues

After the repair is completed, the incisions in the heart and chest are closed. The patient is then weaned off the heart-lung machine, and the heart starts functioning normally. If the patient is in stable condition, the patient is moved to the intensive care unit (ICU) for further monitoring. The recovery may involve hospitalization for a few days to ensure a smooth recovery.

Consult Dr. Sujay Shad For Mitral Valve Repair

If one is looking for a heart surgeon who specializes in performing mitral valve repair surgery, one can consider consulting Dr. Sujay Shad at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, a famous heart hospital in Delhi. In addition to providing several advantages and enhancing patient quality of life, mitral valve repair surgery is a very successful treatment for mitral valve regurgitation and stenosis.

Besides specializing in mitral valve repair, the expert heart doctor performs other procedures, such as heart transplants, aortic surgery, aortic dissection, coronary bypass surgery, and more.

To consult Dr. Sujay Shad, visit Sir Ganga Ram Hospital now!