A roadmap for valve repair surgery

Abstract

It is well established that mitral valve repair has better outcomes than mitral valve replacement surgery. In the Western world, degenerative mitral valve pathology leading to severe mitral valve regurgitation is the most frequent disease affecting the mitral valve and this pathology is particularly accessible for valve repair. Hence, mitral valve repair is increasingly performed world-wide. However, obstacles may still arise in more complex lesions or minimally invasive approaches.