Can heart valves be replaced without open heart surgery

An aortic valve replacement carries a risk of complications, some of which can be life-threatening. Around 1 in 50 people who undergo this type of surgery die from complications during or shortly after surgery.

Replacing it can actually decrease your heart function. Not only does a repair let you keep your own valve, but it improves survival rates and carries a lower risk of: Bleeding. Thromboembolism, which is a blood clot in a vein or artery.

The mitral valve is between the left heart chambers (left atrium and left ventricle). Mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement may be done as an open-heart surgery procedure or as minimally invasive heart surgery. Sometimes a mitral valve problem may be treated with a catheter-based procedure.

Traditionally, open-heart surgery is used to repair or replace heart valves. This means that a large incision is made in the chest and the heart stopped for a time so that the surgeon can repair or replace the valve(s). Newer, less invasive techniques have been developed to replace or repair heart valves.