Morton Plant Hospital is the first hospital in Tampa Bay to offer Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (TMVR) for patients suffering from a mitral valve disorder, such as degenerative mitral regurgitation. Treatment for mitral regurgitation depends on the severity of the disease. Medications can be used to reduce symptoms, but cannot correct the underlying structural problem with the mitral valve resulting in the regurgitation.
Mitral regurgitation itself can only be treated in two ways: mitral valve surgery and transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR). Morton Plant Hospital specializes in complex valve disorders and offers both types of treatment. Untreated, mitral regurgitation may lead to congestive heart failure and eventually death.
The goal of mitral valve surgery is to repair the natural mitral valve. However, in some instances, the valve cannot be repaired and must be replaced. These are considered open-heart surgeries and are very effective treatments for mitral regurgitation.
Transcatheter mitral valve repair is a minimally invasive option for people who are unable to undergo open-heart surgery due to severe medical problems. Unlike traditional surgery, this procedure does not require opening the chest or temporarily stopping the heart. Instead, a catheter is passed through the femoral vein in the leg and is used to implant a clip, called a MitraClip, in the center of the mitral valve. This allows the valve to continue to open and close, allowing blood to flow while reducing mitral regurgitation. Watch cardiovascular surgeons Dr. John Ofenloch and Dr. Joshua Rovin discuss this transcatheter treatment option for mitral regurgitation.
Mitral regurgitation is a disorder in which the mitral valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward into the atrium. This leads to a decrease in blood flow to the rest of the body that may require the heart to pump harder, which can ultimately lead to congestive heart failure. Symptoms of mitral regurgitation include:
If you have been diagnosed with mitral regurgitation, talk to your physician about mitral valve repair at Morton Plant. To schedule an evaluation at the Morton Plant Hospital Valve Center, call (727) 462-7239.
