‘Keyhole’ mitral valve interventions such as the mitraclip and pascal procedures can avoid the need for open heart surgery in some patients.
Dr Hilling-Smith has been doing these procedures for over 5 years now.
Before:
Mitral valve procedures require extensive planning including an admission to hospital for about 3 days to have all the relevant work up tests. After the tests you go home, and your case is presented by Dr Hilling-Smith at the Heart Valve Team meeting. If your case is approved, you will then be booked in for the procedure.
During:
The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and is done ‘keyhole’ through the vein at the top of the leg. There is no cutting involved and essentially no blood loss.
After:
• After the procedure you should expect to stay in hospital for 2 days.
• An echo will be performed the next day to assess the results of the procedure.
• You cannot drive for 4 weeks after mitral valve intervention (this is decided by AusRoads, not the doctor).
• You should avoid any strenuous physical activity (nothing more than walking) for the first 6 weeks until your clinical review.
• Mitral valve intervention is ‘keyhole’ and can avoid open heart surgery in some patients.
• Reduced post-operative hospital stay (usually only 2 days) compared to open heart surgery.
• Patients who are not suitable for open heart surgery may be suitable for this procedure.
• The procedure may improve symptoms like breathlessness and potentially reduce some medications.
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