Methods Of Treating Mitral Valve Prolapse

Valve Replacement

In a more extreme case, the extent of mitral valve prolapse or further complications of the valve may lead to the need for a full valve replacement. The surgeon will physically remove the patient’s mitral valve and replace it with either a mechanical valve or a tissue valve harvested from an animal like a pig or a cow. While mechanical valves will function for many years, they require the patient to take anticoagulants for the rest of their life. Tissue valves do not have the same clotting risks as mechanical, so extra medication is not needed. However, tissue valves wear out faster than mechanical valves. This may make it necessary for the patient to go through another valve replacement surgery at a later date.