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Choosing the right surgeon to fix a leaky mitral valve - which can cause blood to flow backwards into the lungs and often leads to shortness of breath and chest pain is a critical decision.

May 02, 2017 | Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports

When patients have mitral valve disease, the small flaps that open and close to let oxygen-rich blood flow through the heart do not work as they should. Choosing the right surgeon to fix a leaky mitral valve - which can cause blood to flow backwards into the lungs and often leads to shortness of breath and chest pain is a critical decision.

Now a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reveals that patients who chose surgeons with deep experience in performing this complex procedure had a better chance of living longer and not needing additional procedures to correct the problem.

Page Created: December 19, 2017 Last Updated: January 05, 2018