Mitral Valve Regurgitation: Repair or Replace the Valve?

Overview

You can work with your doctor to decide whether you want to have your mitral valve repaired or replaced to treat chronic mitral valve regurgitation.

Many things play a role in this decision. These things include:

• The cause of the regurgitation.
• If you have symptoms.
• If you have other health problems.
• How severe the regurgitation is.
• The shape of the mitral valve.
• The risks of the procedure or surgery.

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Talk with your doctor about what matters most to you.

You might decide to have a procedure or surgery if the regurgitation is bad enough that you have symptoms or if it can or has damaged your heart.

If mitral valve repair is an option, it may be done with a surgery or with a catheter procedure. Valve replacement surgery might be done if the valve cannot be repaired.