Heart Valve Repair at Massachusetts General Hospital

Heart Valve Repair at Massachusetts General Hospital provides specialized surgical treatment for selected patients with damaged, narrowed or leaking heart valves. Valve repair aims to preserve the patient's own valve while improving its function and reducing the effects of valve disease on the heart.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost depends on the type of valve disease, complexity of repair, diagnostic testing, surgical approach, anesthesia, hospitalization and follow-up care required. A personalized estimate is provided according to the treatment plan.

Complete Description

What Is Heart Valve Repair?

Heart Valve Repair is a surgical procedure used to correct a malfunctioning heart valve while preserving the patient's own valve whenever possible.

Valve disease may cause:

• Valve narrowing

• Valve leakage

• Abnormal valve movement

• Structural valve damage

Who May Need Heart Valve Repair?

Valve repair may be considered for selected patients with:

• Mitral valve disease

• Tricuspid valve disease

• Certain aortic valve conditions

• Significant valve leakage

• Structural valve abnormalities

• Progressive valve disease

Heart Valve Evaluation

Before repair, specialists may evaluate:

• Symptoms

• Valve anatomy

• Heart function

• Disease severity

• Previous cardiac history

• Overall health

Testing may include:

• Echocardiography

• ECG

• Cardiac CT

• Cardiac MRI when appropriate

• Other cardiac imaging

Mitral Valve Repair

Mitral valve repair may be used for selected patients with mitral regurgitation or other structural mitral valve problems.

Repair techniques depend on the underlying valve abnormality.

Tricuspid Valve Repair

Tricuspid valve repair may be considered for selected patients with significant tricuspid valve disease.

Treatment may restore more effective valve function and address associated cardiac problems.

Aortic Valve Repair

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

Suitability depends on:

• Valve anatomy

• Type of disease

• Severity

• Associated aortic conditions

Valve Reconstruction

Valve reconstruction may involve reshaping or supporting valve structures to improve opening and closing.

The specific technique depends on the affected valve and underlying disease.

Minimally Invasive Valve Repair

Selected patients may be candidates for minimally invasive surgical approaches.

Potential benefits may include:

• Smaller incisions

• Reduced tissue disruption

• Potentially shorter recovery

The appropriate approach depends on the patient's condition and anatomy.

Complex Valve Repair

Patients with complex valve disease may require multidisciplinary evaluation.

The cardiac team may assess:

• Multiple valve abnormalities

• Heart function

• Coronary disease

• Previous cardiac surgery

• Other structural heart conditions

Preoperative Evaluation

Before valve repair, patients may undergo:

• Cardiology consultation

• Echocardiography

• ECG

• Cardiac imaging

• Blood tests

• Anesthesia assessment

• Medication review

Heart Valve Repair Surgery

During surgery, the cardiac surgeon identifies the abnormal valve structures and performs the appropriate repair technique.

The goal is to improve valve function while preserving the patient's native valve whenever feasible.

Recovery After Valve Repair

Following surgery, patients may receive monitoring of:

• Heart rhythm

• Heart function

• Blood pressure

• Surgical-site healing

• Mobility

• Recovery progress

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation may be recommended after appropriate valve repair.

It can include:

• Supervised exercise

• Physical conditioning

• Activity guidance

• Cardiovascular risk management

• Recovery education

Follow-Up After Valve Repair

Follow-up may include:

• Echocardiograms

• Clinical examinations

• Medication management

• Heart rhythm monitoring

• Assessment of valve function

Potential Benefits of Valve Repair

For appropriately selected patients, repair may:

• Preserve the native valve

• Improve valve function

• Reduce valve leakage

• Improve cardiac efficiency

• Avoid certain replacement-related issues

• Support long-term heart function

Outcomes depend on the underlying condition and individual patient factors.

Heart Valve Repair Risks

Potential complications may include:

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Abnormal heart rhythms

• Stroke

• Blood clots

• Kidney complications

• Residual or recurrent valve disease

• Need for additional treatment

Individual risks vary according to the patient's condition and procedure.

Heart Valve Repair Second Opinion

Patients who have received a recommendation for valve repair or replacement may seek a cardiac surgery second opinion.

Specialists may review:

• Echocardiograms

• Cardiac CT

• Cardiac MRI

• ECGs

• Medical records

• Previous procedures

• Surgical recommendations

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant cardiac records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• Echocardiogram reports

• Transesophageal echocardiography reports

• ECG reports

• Cardiac imaging

• Previous cardiac procedure reports

• Blood-test results

• Medication list

Why Choose Massachusetts General Hospital for Heart Valve Repair?

Massachusetts General Hospital's Heart Valve Program provides multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment for patients with valve disease, with cardiac specialists working together to determine whether repair, replacement or another treatment is most appropriate.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

Potential costs may include:

• Cardiology consultation

• Echocardiography

• Cardiac imaging

• Preoperative testing

• Valve repair surgery

• Anesthesia

• Hospitalization

• Cardiac rehabilitation

• Follow-up care

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

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is heart valve repair?

Heart valve repair is a procedure that corrects a damaged or malfunctioning valve while preserving the patient's own valve when possible.

2. Is valve repair better than valve replacement?

For selected patients, repair may be preferable because it preserves the native valve, but the best option depends on the valve's anatomy and disease.

3. Which valves can be repaired?

Depending on the condition, specialists may repair the mitral, tricuspid or selected aortic valve conditions.

4. Can heart valve repair be minimally invasive?

Selected patients may qualify for minimally invasive valve repair, depending on their anatomy and clinical condition.

5. How much does heart valve repair cost?

Price is available on request. The final cost depends on the complexity of the repair, testing, hospitalization and follow-up care.

Product Details

Product Name: Heart Valve Repair at Massachusetts General Hospital

Hospital: Massachusetts General Hospital

Brand: Massachusetts General Hospital

Country: United States

Specialty: Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery

Service Type: Heart Valve Repair

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA