Advantages of Mitral Valve Repair Surgery Using Keyhole Incisions

Based in Tampa, Florida, Dr. Hartmuth Bittner holds a medical doctorate degree from the University of Heidelberg Medical School and a Ph.D. from the National Academy of Sports and Sports Sciences. Dr. Hartmuth Bittner serves as the founder and president of the Gulf Coast Cardiothoracic Surgery Institute where he focuses his work on providing minimally invasive techniques including replacing mitral valves in the heart.

A valve that allows blood to move from the heart’s left atrium to the left ventricle, the mitral valve is vulnerable to developing abnormalities that interfere with normal blood flow through it. In some people, the valve fails to open or close normally leading to an increased risk of heart failure.

Minimally invasive mitral valve repair surgery is a strategy used to treat a range of conditions affecting the mitral valve. This surgery involves the use of keyhole incisions, which are much smaller than those used in traditional surgery, to endoscopically access the valve and treat the problem. Minimally invasive mitral valve repair surgery offers several advantages over traditional surgery, including faster recovery time, lower risk of infection, and reduced scarring.