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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Fully Endoscopic Mitral Valve Repair with Percutaneous Cannulation of Groin Vessels
Published on: May 26, 2023
[Sixty years of mitral valve surgery]
1Departamento de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago de Chile. rzalaque@med.puc.cl
Insights
Cardiovascular surgery began in 1948 with successful mitral valve stenosis operations. Early pioneers overcame significant challenges, leading to advancements in cardiac disease treatment and valve replacement.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Medical History
- Cardiac Surgery Innovations
Background:
- The early development of cardiovascular surgery was marked by significant challenges and risks.
- Pioneering surgeons faced numerous failures and even fatalities in their pursuit of cardiac interventions.
Observation:
- Charles Bailey and Dwight Harken performed landmark mitral valve stenosis surgeries in 1948.
- These operations signified the beginning of modern cardiovascular surgery.
- The manuscript reviews critical cases and situations encountered by early cardiac surgeons.
Findings:
- The successful mitral valve stenosis operations by Bailey and Harken overcame previous failures.
- Albert Starr and Lowell Edwards achieved successful mitral valve replacement using a mechanical valve.
- The history details the evolution from early attempts to successful valve replacement.
Implications:
- These advancements fundamentally changed the natural history of cardiac diseases.
- The development paved the way for contemporary cardiac surgical procedures.
- The innovations highlight the critical role of surgical skill and engineering in medical progress.
Abstract:
On June 10, 1948, Charles Bailey, MD, operated successfully a mitral valve stenosis in Philadelphia and six days later, Dwight Harken, MD, performed the same operation in Boston, marking the onset of cardiovascular surgery. These successful operations were preceded by several failures and even deaths, that had to be overcome by both pioneers. This manuscript reviews several cases and situations that these surgeons had to face during the development of cardiovascular surgery, that changed the natural history of cardiac diseases. The history culminates with the successful mitral valve replacement, performed by Albert Starr using a mechanical valve designed by him and Lowell Edwards, a retired engineer whose primary interest was to develop an artificial heart. The first mitral commissurotomy in Chile was performed by Svante Tornvall, MD, and Pedro Uribe, MD, at van Buren Hospital in Valparaiso in December, 1950. The first mitral valve replacement was performed by Hugo Salvestrini, MD, in 1964 at the Catholic University Hospital.
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Mitral Valve Prolapse II: Assessment and Management
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
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Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction

