Patients who receive a valve repair stay on the same survival curve as the normal population.

Only one was left inside for a valve repair.

Things that affect the choice between valve repair and valve replacement include:

The advantages of mitral valve repair include the following:

You and your doctor should discuss your specific circumstances when deciding on the timing of valve repair or replacement.

Some children may require aortic valve repair or replacement.

The advantages of mitral valve repair are that it:

Both valve repair and replacement are typically open-heart surgeries.

Infection is more common with valve replacement than with valve repair.

Mitral valve repair is generally considered preferable to replacement.