Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery

About Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery

Mitral valve replacement is performed when the mitral valve, which controls blood flow between the heart's left atrium and left ventricle, becomes too narrow (stenosis) or leaky (regurgitation) to function properly and cannot be adequately repaired. Under general anesthesia and with the patient on a heart-lung bypass machine, the surgeon opens the heart, removes the damaged valve, and sews in a replacement — either a mechanical valve, which is durable but requires lifelong blood-thinning medication, or a biological tissue valve, which avoids long-term anticoagulation but may wear out sooner. The choice between valve types depends on the patient's age, lifestyle, and overall health, and is discussed with the surgical team beforehand. The procedure can be done through a traditional sternotomy or, in select patients, through smaller minimally invasive incisions. Patients typically spend a day or two in intensive care followed by several more days on the ward before discharge. India's cardiac centers offer both mechanical and tissue valve options along with experienced post-operative cardiac care, and international patients generally plan for a hospital stay of about a week, with follow-up echocardiograms arranged before travel home to confirm the valve is functioning well.