Dignity Health: Offering Advanced Mitral Valve Repair in the Sacramento Region

Mitral valve repair may be recommended to repair a leaking (regurgitant) mitral valve or as a treatment for a narrowed mitral valve (stenosis). Compared to a full replacement, mitral valve repair offers a lower risk of complications and better preservation of your heart’s function. It also may eliminate your need for long-term use of blood thinners.

Dignity Health Heart and Vascular Institute of Greater Sacramento is among a select group of providers in the nation offering patients transcatheter edge-to-edge repair, formerly referred to as transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) — a minimally invasive cardiology procedure to treat moderate-severe to severe mitral regurgitation.

If you or a loved one is experiencing shortness of breath or fatigue from a damaged mitral valve, an experienced cardiovascular surgeon can treat your condition with mitral valve repair in the Sacramento region at Dignity Health’s Mercy General Hospital. To receive exceptional care, Find a Cardiologist today.

 

Are You Eligible for Mitral Valve Repair?

Your mitral valve is located between the two left chambers of your heart and allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Cardiology conditions that limit this healthy flow of blood are mitral valve stenosis (narrowing) and mitral valve prolapse (leaking or regurgitation). Your doctor may recommend mitral valve repair if the damage to your mitral valve is not severe and doesn’t require a full valve replacement.

Mitral valve repair offers the following benefits: 

  • Lower risk of stroke and infection
  • No need for lifelong use of blood thinners
  • Improved survival rates (both early and late)
  • Better preservation of heart function

Speak with a trusted doctor at Dignity Health to see if you’re a candidate for mitral valve repair.

 

Types of Mitral Valve Repair Procedures

Dignity Health Heart and Vascular Institute of Greater Sacramento performs several types of mitral valve repair surgeries.

These include:

  • Transcatheter Repair: A MitraClip is inserted into the femoral vein and the valve leaflets are clipped together, reducing regurgitation.
  • Balloon valvuloplasty: A thin, flexible instrument is inserted into a large artery in the groin and guided to the mitral valve. A tiny balloon is inflated on the end of the catheter to widen the mitral valve and improve blood flow.
  • Ring annuloplasty: A small incision is made in the chest. A device called an annuloplasty ring, made of sturdy fabric, is sewn around the mitral valve to help support the valve leaflets (flaps of tissue).
  • Valve repair: A surgeon makes makes small incisions in the chest to access the mitral valve and reshapes or rebuilds the valve leaflets so they work better.

Mitral Valve Repair Recovery

Recovery from mitral valve repair may last from a few days up to a week. Your care team will provide clear instructions on how to care for your incision, which prescription medications to take, and a list of activities that are safe to perform while you heal. 

Dignity Health Heart and Vascular Institute of Greater Sacramento offers expertise in heart valve surgery, such as mitral valve repair, in Sacramento, CA and the surrounding areas.