Minimally invasive mitral repair surgery: why does controversy still persist?

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Surgical treatment for mitral valve disease has evolved and remains a rapidly expanding field. Minimally invasive mitral valve repair (MI-MVR) is a well-known alternative to conventional sternotomy mitral valve repair (cMVR). However, controversy as to the efficacy of MI-MVR persists, hindering the adoption and potential benefits of this less invasive approach.

Areas covered: In this review, we provide an updated summary evaluation of the latest evidence, including observational studies, clinical trials and meta-analyses, regarding MI-MVR in comparison to cMVR.

Expert commentary: The controversy that persists around the widespread adoption of MI-MVR procedures is addressed with the wealth of evidence published establishing similarly excellent outcomes between MI-MVR and cMVR.

KEYWORDS:

• Minimally invasive
• mitral valve
• endoscopic
• robotic
• mini-thoracotomy

Declaration of interest

M Chu has received speakers’ honoraria from Medtronic Canada, Edwards Lifesciences, Liva Nova, Symetis. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.