Mitral Valve Repair

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Patient Selection

Mitral valve repair is preferred whenever technically feasible over valve replacement. Mechanical and biologic prosthetic heart valves have distinct advantages. Anticoagulation is required to prevent thromboembolic complications for mechanical valves, and porcine valves have a relatively short life expectancy (7 to 14 years). Long-term data, now past 15 years of follow-up, support the durability of mitral repair.