Mitral Stenosis Treatments
If symptoms of mitral stenosis are severe, you might need treatment. We’ll work with you to determine the right approach: open-heart surgery, valvuloplasty or transcatheter mitral valve replacement. These treatments take place in St. Cloud for your convenience.
Surgery
Your cardiac surgeon will begin by dividing your breastbone to gain access to your heart. You’ll likely be on a heart-lung machine, which pumps your blood during surgery. The surgeon will then cut away the flaps of the old valve and sew in a new tissue valve.
Valvuloplasty
You may need a heart ultrasound (echo test) or angiogram to see if you qualify for valvuloplasty. If you’re eligible for this nonsurgical treatment, and you choose to get valvuloplasty, a cardiologist will:
- Place a catheter (thin, soft tube) in a blood vessel
- Use the catheter to carry a tiny balloon up to your heart
- Inflate the balloon in the stiff mitral valve to widen it
- Withdraw the catheter
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR)
TMVR is less invasive than surgery and doesn’t require an incision to the chest. Currently CentraCare is participating in clinical trials related to this technique, including ENCIRCLE. It involves a catheter — a thin, soft tube inserted into a blood vessel through a tiny incision. The tube carries an artificial valve up to your heart. There, a doctor pushes aside the flaps of the old valve and inserts the new valve, allowing blood to flow freely through your heart.
Options can be limited if you need a repeat valve replacement. Fortunately, CentraCare has experience with “valve-in-valve" TMVRs. This means the cardiologist can insert new valves within older ones.
Your Recovery
If you receive nonsurgical treatment, you’ll likely go home the next day. We’ll schedule follow-up visits to check on your health. As you recover, you can look forward to feeling less chest pain and having more energy.
After surgery, cardiac rehabilitation helps you safely recover your strength.
Research Studies
CentraCare Heart & Vascular is one of the few sites in Minnesota with a heart research program. This research continues to improve valve procedures for aortic stenosis, including TMVR.
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