Details.
A minimally invasive mitral valve replacement procedure for high surgical risk patients with symptomatic valve deterioration after tissue mitral valve replacement. Access may be through the blood vessels in the groin or through the chest, avoiding open chest surgery, stopping the heart, and cardiopulmonary bypass. The structural heart team evaluates suitability using investigations such as cardiac CT and echocardiography, coordinates with the patient, family, and referring physician, and monitors patients closely after the procedure. The procedure typically takes two to three hours, sometimes longer depending on case complexity, followed by one to two days of monitoring and an echocardiogram within 24 hours.