The Condition:  Mitral Valve Disease The mitral valve is a complex structure that controls blood flow through the left side of the heart.  When open, the mitral valve allows blood to flow into the heart's main pumping chamber, the left ventricle.  When the left ventricle contracts to push blood through the body, the mitral valve closes to prevent blood from flowing back toward the lungs. Sometimes the mitral valve is abnormal from birth or becomes damaged by infection.  More often, mitral valve structures become damaged with age or from coronary artery disease.  Whatever the cause, an abnormal or damaged mitral valve cannot completely seal the heart's left ventricle.  With an incomplete seal, blood can escape the left ventricle and flow backwards through the mitral valve.  This conflicting force can make the heart work harder, leading to further mitral valve damage and other potential complications such as congestive heart failure.

The Treatment: Mitral Valve Repair

Surgical repair involves delicate reconstruction of native valve tissues in order to restore proper function. The most common approach to repair requires the surgeon to saw open the breastbone and spread the ribs to gain direct access to the heart. Cutting the sternum and opening the rib cage - the body's natural protective structure of the heart - can prolong healing time, increase risk of infection, serious complications and even mortality.

Da Vinci MVR:  A Less Invasive Surgical ProcedureIf your doctor recommends surgical repair, you may be a candidate for a new, less invasive surgical procedure call da Vinci Mitral Valve Repair (da Vinci MVR).  This procedures uses a state-of-the-art surgical system designed to help your surgeon see vital anatomical structures more clearly and to perform a more precise surgical procedure.For most patients, da Vinci MVR offers numerous potential benefits over traditional open-chest surgery, including:

• Shorter hospital stay
• Less pain and scarring
• Less risk of infection
• Less blood loss and fewer transfusions
• Faster recovery
• Quicker return to normal activities

As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed, as surgery is patent and procedure specific.The Enabling Technology:  da Vinci Surgical System The da Vinci Surgical System is powered by state-of-the-art robotic technology.  The System allows your surgeon's hand movements to be scaled, filtered and translated into precise movement of micro-instruments within the operative site.The da Vinci System enhances surgical capabilities by enabling the performance of complex surgeries through tiny surgical openings.  The System cannot be programmed nor can it make decisions on its own.  The da Vinci System requires that every surgical maneuver be performed with direct input from your surgeon.

The da Vinci Surgical System has been successfully used in tens of thousands of minimally invasive procedures worldwide.

 

 

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