Risks of Mitral valve replacement vary according to the patient’s pre-existing problems or other associated defects.
Overall risk involved in degenerative mitral valve disease surgery is 0.4%. Risk of death is about 7% and thrombosis is about 5%.
Risk of death is high in patients with preoperative renal insufficiency, cerebrovascular disease, unstable angina and elderly patients.
The complications related to surgery are as follows:
- Infection – Skin infections can be treated with proper antibiotics. Breastbone infection is a rare but serious complication. It may even result in the removal of the breastbone or death.
- Bleeding
- Blood clots because of the mechanical valve.
- Thromboembolism – Blood clots travels in the blood and occludes a different artery.
- Prosthetic Valve Infection – This is more common than infection of the native valve.
- Valve failure (less than 0.01%). Another replacement surgery is required to correct this problem.
- Heart attack during or immediately after surgery (0.004%).
- Stroke (1%)
Mitral Valve repair is preferred in most patients where replacement can be avoided. The long-term outcomes are good for both, better in mitral valve repair. However, long-term results can be influenced by other pre-existing conditions.