Finally, There’s a Good Way to Repair Leaky Mitral Valves

It's a safer, longer-lasting, more durable procedure than valve replacement for patients with Barlow's disease.

Published: May 21, 2019 Updated: January 6, 2020

Some surgeons have tried resecting tissue while transferring chords from other places on the mitral valve, but the extensive amount of suturing causes scar tissue to form. Over time, the valve becomes stiff. While the procedure can produce the desired results, it requires the heart to be stopped for a long period of time. Afterwards, some patients require special drugs to help their heart contract and must stay in the intensive care unit for several days.