Mitral valve reconstruction

Preview

To reconstruct or to replace—that is the question. Many more times than not, the answer has been mitral valve replacement when, Dr Grehl and his associates contend, reconstruction would prove more beneficial. Given the safe means of myocardial preservation now available and a surgeon with the experience to use the varied techniques involved, repair of severely diseased valves can be attempted “without jeopardizing myocardial function should replacement eventually become necessary.” In this article, the authors offer a graphic account of the techniques used to correct mitral valve dysfunction.