Treatment

The treatment depends on several factors. For example, the most important decision on whether or not treatment should take place depends on the severity of the valve prolapse. In most cases, a protrusion of the mitral leaflet is discovered only by chance and the actual valve damage does not cause any discomfort or impairment.

In this case, treatment can be completely avoided. Only a regular check-up by a cardiologist once a year should be performed. However, if the valve damage is so extensive that there is a strong backflow of blood with adverse effects on the patient, treatment must be carried out.

The standard treatment of a severe mitral valve prolapse is surgery. A heart valve that is so severely damaged that it has a negative effect on the blood flow must be replaced. There are many well-researched drugs available today for the prevention of heart failure.

However, it makes no sense to use the best medication if the triggering cause (in this case the heart valve) is not eliminated. First and foremost, therefore, the valve should be replaced. Whereas in the past it was necessary to replace the valve on the stopped heart and open chest, cardio surgery today is already able to replace the valve using the keyhole technique and on the beating heart.

This means a much gentler surgical procedure for the patient and faster recovery. Today, valve replacement operations are among the routine procedures in cardiosurgery. Both mechanical valves made of special materials and biological valves from pigs are available.

Depending on the patient’s age and concomitant diseases, either one or the other valve is chosen. When mechanical valves are used, lifelong blood thinning is necessary, but not with biological valves. After surgical replacement, however, the heart should be protected as best as possible by medication.Thus, blood pressure medication, cholesterol-lowering drugs and beta-blockers are part of the standard treatment that the patient should take forever. Sport should be done to stabilize and increase the heart performance and strength. Cardiac groups are available for this purpose, in which sports activities can be carried out under medical supervision.