Beating Heart Mitral Valve Replacement

Posted On: 04-21-2015

What is Beating Heart Mitral Valve Replacement?

During beating heart mitral valve replacement, a malfunctioning, damaged, or diseased heart valve is replaced with an artificial valve or one from a pig, cow, or human donor. This procedure is performed while the heart is beating. A cardiopulmonary bypass machine may be used to improve circulation during the procedure.

Also Known As:

Off-pump mitral valve replacement
Heart surgery
Heart valve surgery
Off-pump surgery

Conditions Treated with Beating Heart Mitral Valve Replacement:

Beating heart mitral valve replacement is utilized to treat conditions such as myxomatous valve disease, congenital mitral valve disorder and a mitral valve that has been damaged due to rheumatic fever or bacterial infection.

Beating Heart Mitral Valve Replacement by OrangeCountySurgeons

Non-Surgical or Other Surgical Alternatives to Beating Heart Mitral Valve Replacement:

There are no comparable non-surgical alternatives to beating heart mitral valve replacement. Mitral valve replacement may be performed with a minimally invasive or robotically-assisted method as a surgical alternative.

Anesthesia with Beating Heart Mitral Valve Replacement:

Beating heart mitral valve replacement is performed under general anesthesia, which means that the patient is asleep and completely unaware during the procedure.

Potential Complications from Beating Heart Mitral Valve Replacement:

Possible risks following beating heart mitral valve replacement include infection, bleeding and a negative reaction to the anesthesia. Scarring, blood clots and heart attack are also possible complications.

Prognosis after Beating Heart Mitral Valve Replacement:

The prognosis for a positive end result following beating heart mitral valve replacement is good. Mechanical valves last longer than biological ones. However, patients will need to take anticoagulants indefinitely.

Recovery from Beating Heart Mitral Valve Replacement:

The total recovery time for beating heart mitral valve replacement is six to eight weeks.