Mitral valve disease is the most common valvular heart disease in Indians. Mitral valve is affected by  two types of diseases. Rheumatic heart disease used to be very common causing mitral valve stenosis (blockage to valve) or mitral valve regurgitation (leakage of valve).

Degenerative mitral valve disease is also commonly called Myxomatous mitral valve, Mitral valve prolapse or Floppy Mitral valve.

You would be surprised if we tell you that almost all cases of Mitral valve leak or regurgitation caused by Degenerative Mitral valve disease can be repaired as against being replaced.

WHY REPAIR NOT REPLACE:

The disadvantages of replacing the valve are quite immense.

If replaced with a Mechanical valve (Metal valve is the colloquial name), you need to take life long blood thinners called Warfarin or Acitrom. It is quite difficult for the patients as well as doctors to manage patients on life long oral anti- coagulants.

The occurrence of bleeding, brain related complications like stroke and valve clogging are quite common and can be life threatening.

Pregnancy, child bearing and delivery is also very difficult with Mechanical valves and Oral anti-coagulants.

The alternative to Mechanical valve would be Tissue valve (Bio- prosthesis). The life of a tissue valve is limited ranging from 8 to 12 years depending on the age of the patient and the type of valve implanted. The Mechanical  and tissue valves are also prone for infection called Infective Endocarditis which is difficult to treat.

WHERE TO APPROACH?

Repairing the Mitral valve is the perfect and ideal solution. Repairing the Mitral valve needs expertise and experience. Dr Anbarasu Mohanraj’s team does the maximum number of Mitral valve repairs in this part of the country with excellent long term results.

The team is tuned to do very complex mitral valve repairs and strives to repair almost 100% of leaking valves. The innumerable patients who’ve undergone a Valve repair by Dr Anbarasu Mohanraj are a testimony for the competence of this team.