No abstract

Objectives: Mitral valve disease is increasingly prevalent. Timely diagnosis and the choice of the right intervention are very important in the early stages, as valvular dysfunction often leads to cardiac failure and even sudden death. The focus of this paper is on the various pathologies of the mitral valve, their etiology, and clinical management. Methods: Mitral regurgitation (MR) can be managed surgically, percutaneously or medically. Treatment methods for primary MR include percutaneous mitral valve (MV) repair, MV replacement, minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS), and more recently, robotics. Additionally, conventional sternotomy has been used for both MR and mitral stenosis. Nonetheless, ongoing clinical trials are a clear indicator that the management of valve diseases is continuously evolving. Results: Multiple studies favour MV repair via MIMVS, over conventional sternotomy or percutaneous approach. However, more data is needed to optimize patient selection. Robot assisted repair is a new alternative, but attention should be given to the steep learning curve and medical training of professionals wishing to perform this intervention. Cost effectiveness and possible side effects should be explored by clinical trials as well. While guidelines are fairly straightforward for primary MR, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that surgical treatment is advantageous for secondary MR. Management is usually pharmaceutical and aims to treat symptoms rather than cause. Conclusion: Mitral valve disease remains a medical challenge, but numerous research and clinical trials have been embarked upon to refine old methods and discover new ones to improve treatment success and procedural safety.