Robotic Mitral Valve Replacement

Introduction

The mitral valve is one of the four valves in your heart. It separates the left atrium (upper chamber) from the left ventricle (lower chamber). The mitral valve opens when blood flows from the atrium to ventricle, and closes when blood flows back to the atrium. Mitral valve disease occurs when this valve doesn’t work properly

What is the mitral valve?

Mitral valve replacement is a procedure to repair or replace the mitral valve, which is located between the left atrium and left ventricle. The mitral valve allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

The mitral valve is part of your heart’s left side. It opens wide when you breathe in and closes tightly when your lungs are empty so that oxygen-rich blood can reach your body’s tissues throughtout your body.

What are the symptoms of mitral valve disease?

Mitral valve disease is characterized by a number of symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue. The symptoms are usually worse when you exercise or are in a hot environment. In addition to these classic symptoms, sufferers may also experience palpitations and an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).

Symptoms tend to be worse when lying down or sitting upright.

What causes mitral valve disease?

Mitral valve disease is a common form of heart disease, affecting nearly 3 million Americans. Most forms of mitral valve disease are caused by age, genetics, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. When the mitral valve does not open properly, it can cause the heart to work harder than normal. People with mitral valve stenosis typically experience symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. These symptoms may eventually lead to congestive heart failure (CHF) if left untreated.

Rheumatic fever is another possible cause of mitral valve disease and can be fatal if left untreated or treated late in its course; however there is no evidence that rheumatic fever causes long-term damage to the heart valves in children who have had it previously diagnosed before age 16 years old

How is mitral valve disease diagnosed?

Mitral valve disease is diagnosed through a series of tests. You may have heard a heart murmur, which is an extra sound produced by blood flowing through the valves. A chest x-ray can show if there is any enlargement of your heart or lungs, and an echocardiogram provides detailed images of the structure and movement of your heart.

Cardiac catheterization involves inserting thin tubes into a vein in your arm so that doctors can see inside your heart and make sure it’s functioning properly. Blood tests also provide information about how well your body is handling oxygen saturation levels, in addition to testing for evidence of infection or inflammation that could be causing problems with the mitral valve leaflets.

Finally, cardiac MRI and CT scans offer detailed views of areas inside the body without requiring invasive procedures like surgery or catheterization; these are especially useful after surgery when doctors want more information on how well their repairs held up under stress conditions during regular life activities like walking up stairs or running around outside at recess (if you were one who took recess very seriously). If none of these methods work for diagnosing mitral valve disease then further tests may be needed before deciding whether robotic mitral valve replacement surgery would benefit you as well

Who is a candidate for robotic mitral surgery?

If you have severe mitral valve disease, robotic mitral surgery may be your best option. Your doctor will evaluate the size and shape of your heart and how that affects your ability to recover from open heart surgery. He or she will also consider other factors, such as your general health and age, that could affect whether or not you’re a good candidate for robotic mitral valve replacement.

If you’re an ideal candidate for robotic mitral valve replacement, but are concerned about the risks associated with this procedure (which are similar to those of traditional open heart surgery), then talk to your doctor about whether it’s right for you.

How common is mitral valve disease?

Mitral valve disease is the most common heart valve disease, and the incidence of the disease is increasing. The risk of mitral valve disease increases with age, and it affects women more than men.

How does robotic-assisted mitral surgery work?

Robotic-assisted mitral valve replacement is a surgical procedure that uses robotic technology to assist the surgeon during heart surgery. The surgeon operates “hands off” from an adjacent room and uses robotic arms to reach into your chest, insert valved leaflets into your heart and then close up your chest cavity.

The robot has a camera that lets the surgeon see inside the body in real time, as if he or she were looking at it directly through a microscope. This allows for more precise control over the placement of devices inside the patient’s body. The surgeon can also use three-dimensional images of the patient’s heart at various points along its length to plan each step in advance before making any incisions or incisions needed during surgery.

How long does the surgery take, and how long is recovery from robotic mitral valve replacement surgery?

• How long does the surgery take, and how long is recovery from robotic mitral valve replacement surgery?

Robotic mitral valve repair or replacement typically takes 3 to 5 hours. You will be asleep for the procedure and awakened in a recovery room when it’s over. Afterward, you’ll move to a hospital room where you’ll spend the night. Your chest will be bandaged during your stay at the hospital until it heals completely (about 4-6 weeks later).

The surgery is performed through a small incision in your chest wall, without opening up your ribs or sternum. The robotic arms perform delicate tasks that would normally require larger incisions or multiple instruments; therefore, there are no limitations on what can be done during this type of operation.*

Are there risks involved in robotic-assisted mitral surgery?

You may be wondering if the risks of undergoing robotic-assisted mitral valve surgery outweigh its potential benefits. There are certain risks associated with any type of surgery, including bleeding and infection.

Other risks include stroke, which is relatively rare but serious; death due to other causes (such as cardiac arrest); complications from anesthesia; and injury from robotic tools during the procedure.

The risk of death is higher for older adults and those who have other health issues before their operation.

People with severe mitral valve disease may be candidates for robotic-assisted mitral surgery.

Robotic-assisted mitral valve replacement is a procedure that takes place in a hospital and is performed by a cardiothoracic surgeon. The patient will receive general anesthesia for the procedure, which involves making small incisions in the chest to allow access to the heart. Using fluoroscopy and 3D imaging, the surgeon operates on your heart using a robot through these incisions.

Toward the end of this article, we’ll look at some examples of how robotic-assisted mitral valve replacement procedures can be performed through different types of incisions (open or closed).

Conclusion

Although there are risks associated with any surgery, robotic mitral valve replacement is more common and safer than open-heart surgery. It also has a shorter recovery time, making it the ideal option for many patients. It’s important to talk with your doctor about whether this procedure is right for you and what kind of recovery you can expect after surgery.