Heart Valve Repair at Cleveland Clinic

Heart Valve Repair provides specialized surgical treatment to restore the function of a damaged, narrowed or leaking heart valve while preserving the patient's own valve whenever clinically appropriate. Valve repair may be considered for selected patients with mitral, aortic, tricuspid or other valve disorders. Treatment is individualized according to valve anatomy, disease severity, heart function, symptoms and overall health.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of heart valve repair depends on the type of valve disease, specialist evaluation, cardiac imaging, preoperative testing, surgical technique, anesthesia, hospitalization, intensive care, medications and follow-up rehabilitation required. A personalized estimate is provided according to the patient's treatment plan.

Complete Description

What Is Heart Valve Repair?

Heart Valve Repair is a surgical procedure used to restore the normal function of a diseased heart valve while preserving the patient's own valve when possible.

Heart valve disease can cause:

• Valve narrowing

• Valve leakage

• Abnormal valve movement

• Structural damage

• Reduced heart function

Repair may be preferred over replacement for selected patients when the valve can be successfully reconstructed.

Heart Valves That May Be Repaired

Heart valve repair may involve:

• Mitral valve

• Aortic valve

• Tricuspid valve

• Pulmonary valve

The feasibility of repair depends on the type and severity of valve disease.

Mitral Valve Repair

Mitral valve repair is commonly performed for selected patients with significant mitral valve disease.

Treatment may address:

• Mitral regurgitation

• Mitral valve prolapse

• Damaged valve tissue

• Abnormal supporting structures

• Other structural abnormalities

Aortic Valve Repair

Selected patients with aortic valve disease may be candidates for valve repair.

Treatment may address:

• Aortic regurgitation

• Abnormal valve structure

• Selected congenital valve abnormalities

• Other conditions affecting valve function

Tricuspid Valve Repair

Tricuspid valve repair may be considered for patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation or other structural valve abnormalities.

Repair may be performed alone or together with other cardiac procedures when appropriate.

Pulmonary Valve Repair

Selected patients with pulmonary valve disease or congenital heart abnormalities may undergo pulmonary valve repair.

The treatment approach depends on the underlying condition and valve anatomy.

Heart Valve Evaluation Before Repair

Before surgery, specialists may perform a comprehensive evaluation including:

• Medical history

• Physical examination

• Echocardiography

• ECG

• Cardiac imaging

• Laboratory testing

• Cardiac catheterization when appropriate

The goal is to determine whether valve repair is technically and medically appropriate.

Echocardiography for Valve Repair Planning

Echocardiography is an important part of valve assessment.

It may evaluate:

• Valve structure

• Valve movement

• Valve leakage

• Blood flow

• Heart chamber size

• Heart pumping function

Transesophageal Echocardiography

A transesophageal echocardiogram may provide detailed images of the heart valves and surrounding structures.

It can assist with:

• Surgical planning

• Valve anatomy assessment

• Evaluation of valve leakage

• Assessment of repair feasibility

Cardiac Imaging

Additional imaging may include:

• Cardiac CT

• Cardiac MRI

• Specialized echocardiography

• Other cardiovascular imaging

The appropriate imaging method depends on the patient's condition.

Symptoms of Valve Disease

Patients with significant valve disease may experience:

• Shortness of breath

• Fatigue

• Chest discomfort

• Dizziness

• Fainting

• Palpitations

• Reduced exercise tolerance

• Swelling

Symptoms vary according to the affected valve and severity of disease.

Valve Repair Techniques

Depending on the valve and condition, repair may involve:

• Reshaping valve tissue

• Removing damaged tissue

• Repairing supporting structures

• Reconstructing valve leaflets

• Improving valve closure

• Supporting the valve with specialized surgical techniques

The specific technique is selected according to individual valve anatomy.

Preserving the Patient's Own Valve

One potential advantage of successful valve repair is preservation of the patient's natural valve.

When appropriate, repair may avoid the need for a prosthetic replacement valve.

Heart Valve Repair and Heart Function

Severe valve leakage or narrowing can place additional stress on the heart.

Successful repair may help:

• Improve blood flow

• Reduce abnormal pressure or volume on the heart

• Improve symptoms

• Support heart function

Minimally Invasive Valve Repair

Selected patients may be candidates for minimally invasive surgical approaches.

Potential benefits may include:

• Smaller surgical incisions

• Reduced surgical trauma

• Potentially shorter recovery

Eligibility depends on valve anatomy, surgical complexity and overall health.

Complex Heart Valve Repair

Patients with complex valve disease may require specialized surgical planning.

Complex cases may involve:

• Multiple valve abnormalities

• Previous cardiac surgery

• Severe valve damage

• Associated coronary artery disease

• Other structural heart conditions

Combined Heart Procedures

Valve repair may sometimes be performed together with other cardiac procedures when clinically appropriate.

Combined procedures may include:

• Coronary artery bypass surgery

• Aortic surgery

• Other valve procedures

• Treatment of associated structural heart disease

Heart Valve Repair Surgery

During surgery, the patient receives anesthesia and the surgeon accesses the affected valve.

The surgical team may:

• Assess the valve

• Reconstruct damaged structures

• Restore valve movement

• Improve valve closure

• Confirm valve function

Post-Surgical Monitoring

After valve repair, patients may require close monitoring of:

• Heart rhythm

• Heart function

• Blood pressure

• Breathing

• Bleeding

• Kidney function

• Signs of infection

Recovery After Heart Valve Repair

Recovery depends on the surgical approach and patient's overall condition.

Postoperative care may include:

• Gradual physical activity

• Medication management

• Incision care

• Follow-up imaging

• Heart rhythm monitoring

• Cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation may help patients safely regain:

• Strength

• Exercise capacity

• Cardiovascular fitness

• Functional independence

The program is individualized according to recovery progress.

Long-Term Valve Monitoring

Following repair, regular cardiovascular follow-up may be recommended.

Monitoring may include:

• Echocardiography

• Physical examination

• Heart rhythm assessment

• Medication review

• Evaluation of symptoms

• Valve function assessment

Valve Repair Second Opinion

Patients who have been advised to undergo valve replacement may seek a heart valve repair second opinion to determine whether repair may be an appropriate alternative.

Specialists may review:

• Echocardiograms

• Transesophageal echocardiography

• Cardiac CT or MRI

• Cardiac catheterization

• Medical records

• Previous treatment recommendations

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant cardiac records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• Echocardiograms

• Transesophageal echocardiography

• Cardiac CT

• Cardiac MRI

• Cardiac catheterization reports

• ECG results

• Laboratory tests

• Previous cardiac surgery reports

• Current medication list

Benefits of Specialized Heart Valve Repair

Specialized valve repair may help:

• Preserve the patient's natural valve

• Improve valve function

• Reduce symptoms

• Improve blood flow

• Support heart function

• Avoid valve replacement in selected patients

• Treat complex valve abnormalities

• Provide individualized surgical care

• Support long-term cardiovascular health

• Provide specialized second opinions

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Heart Valve Repair?

Cleveland Clinic provides multidisciplinary cardiovascular care involving cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiovascular imaging specialists, anesthesiologists and other healthcare professionals.

Depending on the patient's condition, treatment may include advanced valve imaging, surgical repair, minimally invasive approaches, combined cardiac procedures and postoperative cardiac rehabilitation.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

The total cost of heart valve repair depends on the type and complexity of the valve condition and treatment required.

Potential costs may include:

• Cardiology consultation

• Preoperative evaluation

• Echocardiography

• Cardiac imaging

• Laboratory testing

• Cardiac catheterization

• Valve repair surgery

• Anesthesia

• Hospitalization

• Intensive care

• Medications

• Cardiac rehabilitation

• Follow-up imaging

• Follow-up consultations

A personalized cost estimate should be requested according to the patient's individual treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can every damaged heart valve be repaired?

No. Repair depends on the type of valve disease, valve anatomy, severity of damage and overall medical condition.

2. Is heart valve repair better than valve replacement?

For selected patients, successful repair can preserve the patient's natural valve and may avoid the need for a prosthetic replacement valve.

3. Which heart valves can be repaired?

Repair may be performed on the mitral, aortic, tricuspid or pulmonary valves in appropriately selected patients.

4. Can I get a second opinion about valve replacement?

Yes. A cardiac specialist can review imaging, medical records and valve anatomy to determine whether repair may be a suitable option.

5. How much does heart valve repair cost?

Price is available on request. The final cost depends on evaluation, imaging, surgery, hospitalization, medications, rehabilitation and follow-up care.

Product Details

Product Name: Heart Valve Repair

Hospital: Cleveland Clinic

Brand: Cleveland Clinic

Country: United States

Specialty: Cardiology & Heart Surgery

Service Type: Heart Valve Repair

Dashboard Price: 0

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA