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The mitral valve is the most commonly repaired of the four main heart valves. Advancements in surgery have given patients better outlooks and faster recovery times. 

UMMC is the first hospital in Maryland to offer robotic heart surgery for patients with advanced mitral valve disease. This is a less invasive procedure than traditional heart surgery. 

Choose UMMC for Mitral Valve Disease Treatment

Our team is dedicated to finding the best way to save your valve, restore its function and protect your heart. 

In addition to robotic heart surgery, we provide a number of  treatment options depending on the severity of your mitral valve issues: 

  • Mitral Valve Repair & Replacement – Research shows that mitral valve repair is preferable to replacement for patients with a leaking valve and many with narrowed valves. If your mitral valve cannot be repaired, replacement may be an option.
  • Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair – This is a less invasive treatment for patients with mitral valve regurgitation that uses a catheter to guide a device to your heart. It is an option for patients who are considered at high risk for open heart surgery. 
  • Valvuloplasty – A valvuloplasty is a procedure that can help patients avoid surgery. It opens a narrowed mitral valve using a balloon.

Our Specialists

Learn more about our mitral valve disease specialists and contact them for an appointment.

Mark R. Vesely, MD

Mark R. Vesely, MD

David Samuel Zapata, MD

David Samuel Zapata, MD

What Is the Mitral Valve?

The mitral valve is located on the left side of the heart. It has two cusps (leaflets) that open to allow blood flow from your left atrium to your left ventricle. The leaflets close to prevent blood from flowing backward into the left atrium and into your lungs.

An operation on the mitral valve is usually required because it is leaking (regurgitation), does not fully open (stenosis), there is prolapse that cannot be treated with medicine, or there is an infection (endocarditis).

Signs and Symptoms of Mitral Valve Disease

The most common symptoms of mitral valve disease are shortness of breath while physically active or while lying flat. You may also notice increased fatigue, swollen ankles or feet, heart palpitations, or chest discomfort. Some patients may have no symptoms at all.

Your health care provider may hear a heart murmur when listening to your chest during a physical exam. Your physician may recommend a heart ultrasound (an echocardiogram). This test will determine if you have a leaky or stenotic mitral valve, and how significant it is.

Patient Stories

When treating mitral valve disease patients, we take a personalized approach, tailoring procedures for each patient. Read and watch stories about patients who were treated for mitral valve disease here at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

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