10 Myths and Facts About Mitral Valve Repair Surgery

Mitral valve repair surgery, an operation to fix a diseased/damaged mitral valve, can help resume normal blood flow in the left heart chamber. Though it’s a life-saving and life quality-improving surgery, it is often surrounded by myths. In this article, we will be busting some common misconceptions related to Mitral Valve Repair in India. Hoping so, after learning the facts, you too don’t avoid the surgery.

Myth 1: Mitral valve repair surgery is not required for asymptomatic patients.

Fact- There are a lot many heart patients who are diagnosed with mitral valve leak (regurgitation) or obstruction/narrowing (stenosis) but have no such signs of it and feel pretty well. Large studies reveal that completely asymptomatic patients with severe mitral valve disease must go for prompt surgical intervention. If not, they will end up at high risk of heart failure and death.
 

Myth 2: Elderly patients or chronically ill patients with mitral valve disease cannot undergo mitral valve repair surgery.

Fact: Cardiologists commonly believe that old age heart patients and those patients who have kidney, liver, or lung disease should not go for surgical intervention as it's highly risky. But that’s untrue. With highly functional cardiac teams, advanced surgical techniques, and improved medical practices using the latest equipment, the risk associated with mitral valve repair surgery will barely be a concern. This means even such patients can safely get their mitral valve repaired and restore their best life quality.  
 

Myth 3: Mitral valve repair surgery shortens a patient’s life expectancy.

Fact: A mitral valve disease itself shortens the patient’s life expectancy. Luckily, we live in an age where a mitral valve repair can help restore normal life expectancy. Not merely allowing or extending survival, it can help improve the patient’s life quality. 
 

Myth 4: Robotic mitral valve repair surgery is not an open-heart surgery.

Fact: A robotic mitral valve repair surgery just takes over the manual efforts of a cardiac surgeon to precisely operate on the patient. It utilizes a robotic arm or a high-definition camera. The overall procedure is the same as a traditional open-heart surgery to repair a damaged/diseased mitral valve. The difference lies in the size of the chest incision, which is smaller in the case of robotic surgery.
 

Myth 5: Atrial fibrillation (AFib) cannot be treated during a robotic mitral valve repair.

Fact: During a robotic mitral valve  normal life without long-term requirement of blood-thinning medication. repair, the left atrial appendage is closed, which reduces the risk of stroke. The patient can return to their.
 

Myth 6: Mitral valve repair surgery can cause a stroke or impair brain functioning.

Fact: The advancements in surgical interventions with Mitral Valve Repair in Delhi have significantly reduced the risk of such neurological complications.
 

Myth 7: Robotic mitral valve repair surgery is always superior.

Fact: Patients who go for robotic mitral valve repair surgery get a shorter incision than a traditional open-heart operation. They need a shorter hospital stay. They can recover faster and return to their normal life. However, that doesn’t mean robotic surgery is inherently better for all patients seeking mitral valve repair. The traditional approach can be more effective. 
   

Myth 8: Patients who undergo mitral valve repair surgery have to follow severely restricted physical activity throughout their remaining lives.

Fact: In the initial phase of recovery, strenuous activities have to be avoided. But with cardiac rehabilitation under an appropriate team, patients can return to normal activities.
 

Myth 9: A mitral valve repair surgery is a last resort for mitral valve disease.

Fact: Though the decision to undergo a surgery depends on the severity of the disease, symptoms, and other factors, a mitral valve repair surgery is typically a primary choice when feasible.
 

Myth 10: Mitral valve repair surgery has nothing to do with a patient's quality of life quality.

Fact: Mitral valve repair surgery provides patients relief from symptoms of mitral valve regurgitation or stenosis. It allows them to return to normal life, free of health issues. But for that, the patient should have a heart-healthy lifestyle.
   

The Bottom Line

It’s very common for patients to be anxious and delay or avoid any major heart operation like a mitral valve repair, whether it be robot-assisted or via open heart surgery. Possibly because their head is being fed by misconceptions. To flip negative statements regarding mitral valve repair on your head, it’s advised to see a Heart Surgery Doctor in India, Dr. Sujay Shad with expertise and experience in mitral valve repair. A detailed consultation about mitral valve repair can help you make the right, timely decision.