Introduction

Abstract

Mitral valvuloplasty is an established surgical method for the treatment of mitral insufficiency. Compared to with mitral valve replacement, reconstruction of the mitral valve with preservation of the continuity of the annulus, the chordae tendinae and the papillary muscle is beneficial with improvement of left ventricular function, end-diastolic and end-systolic left ventricular volume and end-systolic left ventricular wall tension. In addition to these surrogate markers, mitral valve repair was shown to reduce mortality in clinical studies. Mitral valvuloplasty is less commonly associated with thromboembolic events, hemorrhagic complications secondary to anticoagulation, hemolysis and endocarditis, and therefore offers definite advantages in comparison with valve replacement [1]–[4].