Forty seven year old Mbarek Aitmahjoub knew that his aortic valve did not function properly and that at some point it might need to be replaced. What he didn’t know was that the operation could be done through a small incision that would have him up and around in no time at all.

 

For a number of years, Mbarek was monitored by his cardiologist for aortic regurgitation, a condition in which the aortic valve does not fully close, or seal. When the valve does not close, instead of only pushing blood out to the body the valve leaks, resulting in enlargement of the heart and increased pressure inside the lungs.

 

Over time, Mbarek began experiencing pain in his left arm. After a cardiac catheterization revealed that the condition of this valve had deteriorated, he was for surgical consultation. There, Mbarek learned he was a candidate for a minimally invasive mitral valve repair.

 

In this operation, a surgeon makes a small incision in the patient’s right side, rather than a large incision down the center of the chest. Through this small incision, using specially designed surgical instruments a surgeon can remove the faulty valve and place a new one. The replacement valve is made of either titanium or tissue, depending on the patient.

 

This minimally invasive approach to valve surgery benefits patients because they recover more quickly with less pain and there is less overall trauma to the body which means they can return to normal activity faster. In addition, patients who have minimally invasive heart surgery have a shorter length of stay in the hospital. That was the case for Mbarek who, just three days after surgery performed by Dr. Edward Lefrak, was able to go home.

 

At CVTSA, our surgeons have performed minimally invasive valve repair and replacement for more than a decade. To learn more about valve disease and treatment, please visit the mitral and aortic valve sections of this website.