After mitral valve repair, 95% of patients are free of reoperation at 10 years, and this statistic is similar at 20 years. Thus, reoperation is uncommon after a successful mitral valve repair. An echocardiogram is recommended annually to assess valve function. In addition, patients who had valve surgery must take steps to prevent infection and reduce the risk of endocarditis (an infection of the valve).

Surgery should be considered when the leak is severe. In most facilities, the regurgitation (leak) is graded on a scale from 0 to 4, with 0 being no leak and 4 being a severe leak. Surgery should be considered in virtually all patients with a leak that is graded as a 4 (severe) and in some patients with a leak that is graded as a 3 (moderately severe). When a patient with mitral regurgitation develops symptoms, a decrease in heart function, or an increase in heart size, surgery is recommended.

Mitral valve repair is the best option for nearly all patients with a leaking (regurgitant) mitral valve and for many with a narrowed (stenotic) mitral valve. Compared to valve replacement, mitral valve repair provides better long-term survival, better preservation of heart function, lower risk of complications, and usually avoids the need for long-term use of blood thinners (anticoagulation). For these reasons, Cleveland Clinic surgeons are committed to mitral valve repair.

The mitral valve sits in the left side of the heart between the left atrium and left ventricle and is composed of two leaflets: anterior and posterior. The mitral valve opens in diastole, when the heart is resting, and allows blood to fill the left ventricle, then closes in systole when the left ventricle contracts. The closed mitral valve prevents blood from flowing backwards into the left atrium. The blood is thus pumped out of the left ventricle through the aortic valve and on to the body.

Many patients with mitral valve disease are asymptomatic (have no symptoms), even with a leak that is severe. When symptoms develop, they include shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of energy, swelling of the ankles and palpitations (extra or skipped heart beats).

The first step involves listening with a stethoscope. Using a stethoscope, the doctor hears a murmur, which represents turbulent blood flow across an abnormal valve. The diagnosis is confirmed by an echocardiogram. Ultrasound is used in an echocardiogram to allow the doctor to visualize the heart valves and determine the severity and cause of the leak. In most patients, a standard transthoracic echocardiogram (a probe placed on the skin of the chest) is adequate to visualize the valve.

For asymptomatic patients having mitral valve repair, the operative risk is approximately 1 in 1000. Risk in symptomatic patients remains well under 1%. The presence of coronary artery disease or other conditions that require surgical treatment will affect your individual risk. Ask your doctor about your surgical risk.

Nearly 100%. The most common cause of mitral regurgitation is a condition called degenerative mitral valve disease—this is also called mitral valve prolapse, myxomatous mitral valve disease, and a floppy mitral valve. Such valves can be repaired (rather than replaced) in more than 95% of patients. Cleveland Clinic heart surgeons have the world’s largest experience with mitral valve repair.

It is a valve on the left side of the heart that guards the opening between the left atrium and the left ventricle. It prevents the blood in the ventricle from returning to the atrium, and consists of two triangular flaps attached at their bases to the fibrous ring which surrounds the opening.

Patients with this condition have a ballooning back of the mitral valve, which is located in the left side of the heart, causing a murmur and sometimes a click. About 5 to 10 percent of the American people have MVP and it is usually a benign condition. Atypical chest pain and palpitations could be associated with MVP. Treatment is available. People with mytral valve prolapse should take antibiotics before having dental or surgical procedures done.

Nearly 100%. When a patient requires isolated mitral valve surgery for a degenerative valve, at Cleveland Clinic we can perform the operation through a 2 to 4 inch skin incision in 95% of cases. We offer several different minimally invasive approaches, including a small incision on the right chest, a small incision in the mid-line, and robotically assisted procedures. Expertise with several approaches enables us to determine the best procedure for each patient, optimizing results.

Blacksmith NPCs can repair items. Be warned, the cost of repairing worn down magic items is quite high.

Jiaogulan can be helpful. Mitral valve prolapse occurs in middle-aged and aged persons, due to a degenerative change of the valve. It creates an overloading of the heart cells and causes mitral valve insufficiency in severe cases. Jiaogulan improves the nourishment and metabolism of the overloaded and weakened myocardium, thus benefiting the heart.

Heart murmurs are caused by a large number of conditions. Some can be due to mitral valve prolapse(MVP). The 2007 AHA Infective Endocarditis Guidelines specifically no longer recommend that patients with MVP be premedicated, whether or not they have regurgitation or thickened valve leaflets, nor does it recommend premedicating for heart murmurs.

Mitral valve prolapse is caused by a problem in the valve.1 This problem may be passed down through family members. People who have other diseases that run in families may also have mitral valve prolapse. This includes people who have Marfan's syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

In most cases, mitral valve prolapse is found during a regular doctor visit. If your doctor hears a certain "click" or murmur sound when listening to your heart, he or she may want you to have a test to check for mitral valve prolapse. This test is called an echocardiogram.

Mitral valve regurgitation means that one of the valves in your heart—the mitral valve—is letting blood leak backward into the heart. Heart valves work like one-way gates, helping blood flow in one direction between heart chambers or in and out of the heart. The mitral valve is on the left side of your heart. It lets blood flow from the upper to lower heart chamber. When the mitral valve is damaged—for example, by an infection—it may no longer close tightly.

Chronic mitral valve regurgitation, the most common type, develops slowly. Many people with this problem may have a valve that is prone to wear and tear. As the person gets older, the valve gets weak and no longer closes tightly. Other causes include heart failure, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, a calcium buildup in the valve, and other heart problems. Acute mitral valve regurgitation develops quickly and can be life-threatening.

Because you may not have symptoms, a specific type of heart murmur may be the first sign your doctor notices. Further tests will be needed to check your heart. Tests may include: Tests for acute regurgitation may include one or more of these same tests, as well as a transesophageal echocardiogram. In this test, a sound-wave device is passed down the esophagus to take clearer pictures of the heart. Finding out that something is wrong with your heart is scary. You may feel depressed and worried.

There are two forms of mitral valve regurgitation (MR): chronic and acute. Chronic mitral valve regurgitation develops slowly over several years. Acute MR develops suddenly. The most common cause of chronic mitral valve regurgitation is mitral valve disease that damages the mitral valve flaps over time. The flaps then allow blood to leak backward (regurgitate) into the left atrium. Hardening, or calcification, of the tough ring of tissue (annulus) to which the mitral valve flaps are attached.

Treatment for chronic mitral valve regurgitation (MR) includes monitoring your heart function and symptoms, as well as treating symptoms as they develop. If MR becomes severe, the mitral valve will need to be repaired or replaced. Treatment for acute MR is immediate. Medications and urgent surgery are usually necessary. If you have mild-to-moderate chronic MR and no symptoms, your doctor may only monitor your condition.

We cannot provide you with medical advice. Each person has a unique medical history. You should discuss your own medical condition with your doctor.