Mitral valve replacement is where an artificial prosthetic valve (bioprosthetic or mechanical) is inserted by open heart surgery. It is most commonly done for severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation but may also be done in patients with severe mitral valve stenosis or a combination of both. Symptoms of severe mitral valve disease typically include shortness of breath, fatigue and palpitations (because of atrial fibrillation).
Bioprosthetic valves have some advantages over mechanical valves, but they are more likely to degenerate and fail over time. This can result in severe stenosis or regurgitation, needing replacement of the bioprosthetic valve.
The standard treatment for a failed bioprosthetic valve is repeat open heart surgery to replace the valve. Repeat open heart surgery is associated with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality than primary surgery. Transapical transcatheter mitral valve‑in‑valve implantation is a less invasive alternative when repeat open heart surgery is considered to have a high risk. It avoids the need for routine cardiopulmonary bypass and can be used to treat failed bioprosthetic mitral valves originally placed during open heart surgery.
The procedure is done with the patient under general anaesthesia and using imaging guidance including fluoroscopy, angiography and transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Prophylactic antibiotics and anticoagulants are given before and during the procedure. Temporary peripheral extracorporeal circulatory support (usually through the femoral vessels) is sometimes used.
The mitral valve is accessed surgically through an apical puncture of the left ventricle using an anterior or left lateral mini thoracotomy (transapical approach). A guidewire is placed across the existing mitral prosthetic valve and into a pulmonary vein. A balloon catheter delivery system is then advanced over the guidewire. When there is severe prosthetic mitral valve stenosis a balloon valvuloplasty may be done first. The inner diameter of the degenerated valve is measured using TEE to establish the size of the new bioprosthetic valve needed. Using the delivery system, the new bioprosthetic valve is then introduced, manipulated into position and slowly deployed within the degenerated mitral valve under fluoroscopic and TEE guidance. Often rapid ventricular pacing is used to reduce movement of the heart. After valve deployment, the catheter delivery system, guidewires and pacing wires are removed and the left ventricular puncture and chest incisions are closed. Valve performance is then assessed using echocardiography and fluoroscopy.