The cardiovascular specialists at UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute are the most experienced in Central Pennsylvania at performing mitral valve surgery and minimally invasive transcatheter mitral valve procedures and regularly participate in the latest clinical trials.
The heart valve experts at UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute provide expert treatment for mitral valve disease — including mitral regurgitation, stenosis, and prolapse — with outstanding outcomes. Our specialists are highly trained in the latest and safest minimally invasive techniques for mitral valve repair and replacement surgery.
Mitral valve disease occurs when your mitral valve does not work correctly. This can be caused by:
Mitral valve surgery treats problems with your mitral valve caused by mitral valve disease. It can be performed using traditional open-chest or minimally invasive approaches.
Depending on your condition, your doctor may repair or replace your mitral valve. Your doctor’s recommendation to repair or replace your mitral valve is based on many factors, including your general health, the condition of your damaged valve, the presence of other health conditions, and the expected benefits of surgery.
If you have mitral valve disease, the preferred treatment is a repair of your own valve, rather than a mitral valve replacement.
Compared to mitral valve replacement, mitral valve repair provides better long-term survival, better preservation of heart function, lower risk of complications, and usually eliminates the need for long-term use of blood thinners such as Coumadin. UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute surgeons are committed to preserving your own mitral valve tissue by performing a mitral valve repair whenever possible.
If your mitral valve is too damaged to be repaired, your surgeon may remove your damaged mitral valve and replace it with a plastic or metal mechanical valve, or a bioprosthetic valve, which is usually made from pig tissue.
Our cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons have the skills and experience required to successfully perform mitral valve repair and replacement using advanced minimally invasive techniques. Minimally invasive procedures access your valve through much smaller incisions — without cutting your breastbone. The benefits of these minimally invasive approaches include:
Our cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons offer the latest minimally invasive treatment options for mitral valve disease, including:
Depending on the type of procedure you are having, you may be placed under general anesthesia or connected to a heart-lung bypass machine that will take over the function of your heart and lungs during your operation.
If you are having mitral valve repair surgery, your doctor will provide you with more detail about the approach he or she plans to use before surgery. The specific approach your doctor recommends will depend on your condition.
During mitral valve replacement surgery, your damaged valve will be cut out, and the new valve will be sewn into place. Your doctor may perform a minimally invasive procedure or an open-chest surgery, depending on your condition.
When the procedure is completed, you will be moved to recovery for observation and monitoring. Your doctor will provide more information about your recovery and your hospital stay.
Most otherwise healthy patients continue to lead active, normal lives after mitral valve surgery. Your doctor will provide more information about your recovery and will let you know when you can resume your normal activities.
If you receive a mechanical mitral valve replacement, you will need to take blood-thinning medication after mitral valve surgery. You should follow your doctor’s instructions and go to all of your follow-up appointments.
Call the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at 1-855-275-6478
UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
Located at Brady Building
205 South Front Street
4th floor
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: 717-231-8555
Fax: 717-231-8568
UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute (formerly Cardiac Consultants)
1697 Crown Avenue
Suite 100
Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: 717-299-5000
Fax: 717-431-1205
UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
12 Saint Paul Drive
Suite 205
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Adult Cardiology: 717-217-6881
Pediatric Cardiology: 717-761-0200
Fax: 717-217-6889
UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
Located at Outpatient Services at UPMC Memorial
1703 Innovation Drive
Suite 4120
York, PA 17408
Heart and Vascular: 717-849-5576
Fax: 717-718-9972
The UPMC Central PA Portal provides patients with convenient and secure access to their health information right at their fingertips. View test results. Get virtual care. Message your care team. Schedule and manage appointments. And much more.
Log-In or Sign Up TodayWhen it comes to health care for you and your family, UPMC is here. It's easy to find the right doctor, health screenings, programs, classes, and more.
Contact UPMC in central Pa.Your health information, right at your fingertips. Select MyUPMC to access your UPMC health information. For patients of UPMC-affiliated doctors in Central Pa, select UPMC Central Pa Portal. Patients of UPMC Cole should select the UPMC Cole Connect Patient Portal.
The portal for all UPMC patients EXCEPT those in Central Pa.
The portal for UPMC patients in Central Pa.
The portal for UPMC Cole patients receiving inpatient care.
