Risks

Mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement surgery can involve risks including:

• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Valve dysfunction in replacement valves
• Heart rhythm problems
• Infection
• Stroke
• Death

How you prepare

Before surgery to have your mitral valve repaired or replaced, your doctor and treatment team will explain to you what to expect before, during and after the surgery and potential risks of the surgery.

Your doctor and team will discuss concerns you may have about your mitral valve repair or mitral valve replacement surgery. Discuss with your doctor and treatment team any questions you may have about the procedure.

You'll need to have your hair shaved off at the location of your body where the procedure will take place.

Before being admitted to the hospital for your surgery, talk to your family about your hospital stay and discuss help you may need when you return home. Your doctor and treatment team may give you specific instructions to follow during your recovery when you return home.

Food and medications

Talk to your doctor about:

• When you can take your regular medications and whether you can take them before your surgery
• When you should stop eating or drinking the night before the surgery

Clothing and personal items

Your treatment team may recommend that you bring several items to the hospital including:

• A list of your medications
• Eyeglasses, hearing aids or dentures
• Personal care items, such as a brush, comb, toothbrush and shaving equipment
• Loosefitting, comfortable clothing
• A copy of your advance directive
• Items that may help you relax, such as portable music players or books

During surgery, avoid wearing:

• Jewelry
• Eyeglasses
• Contact lenses
• Dentures
• Nail polish

Precautions regarding medications and allergies

Talk to your doctor about:

• Any medications you have brought to the hospital and when you should take medications on the day of the procedure
• Allergies or reactions you have had to medications

Results

After mitral valve repair or mitral valve replacement surgery, you may be able to return to daily activities, such as working, driving and exercise. Your doctor will discuss with you when you can return to activities. You'll generally still need to take certain medications.

You'll need to attend regular follow-up appointments with your doctor. You may have several tests to evaluate and monitor your condition.

Your doctor may instruct you to incorporate healthy lifestyle changes — such as physical activity, a healthy diet, stress management and avoiding tobacco use — into your life.

Your doctor may recommend that you participate in cardiac rehabilitation — a program of education and exercise designed to help you improve your health and help you recover after heart surgery.

Overview

A valvuloplasty, also known as balloon valvuloplasty or balloon valvotomy, is a procedure to repair a heart valve that has a narrowed opening.

In a narrowed heart valve, the valve flaps (leaflets) may become thick or stiff and fuse together (stenosis). This reduces blood flow through the valve.

A valvuloplasty may improve blood flow through the heart valve and improve your symptoms.

Why it's done

Doctors will examine you and determine if valvuloplasty or another treatment is right for your valve condition.

Your doctor may recommend valvuloplasty if:

• You have severe valve narrowing and are having symptoms
• You have narrowing of the mitral valve (mitral valve stenosis), even if you don't have symptoms
• You have a narrowed tricuspid or pulmonary valve
• You or your child has a narrowed aortic valve (aortic valve stenosis)

However, the aortic valve tends to narrow again in adults who've had a valvuloplasty, so the procedure is usually done if you are too sick for surgery or are waiting for a valve replacement.

What you can expect

In a valvuloplasty, a doctor inserts a long, thin tube (catheter) with a balloon on the tip into an artery in your arm or groin. X-rays are used to help guide the catheter to the narrowed valve in your heart. The doctor then inflates the balloon, which widens the opening of the valve and separates the valve flaps. The balloon is then deflated, and the catheter and balloon are removed.

You'll be awake but sedated during the procedure. After the procedure, you'll usually stay in the hospital overnight.

Valvuloplasty may improve blood flow through your heart and reduce your symptoms. However, the valve may narrow again. You may need to have another valvuloplasty or other heart procedure, such as valve repair or replacement, in the future.