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Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Fully Endoscopic Mitral Valve Repair with Percutaneous Cannulation of Groin Vessels
Published on: May 26, 2023
Year in review: mitral valve surgery
Bobby Yanagawa1, David Latter, Subodh Verma
1Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiac Surgery, St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Insights
Recent advances in mitral valve surgery include early intervention for degenerative mitral regurgitation and refined transcatheter techniques. Minimally invasive approaches offer improved recovery and outcomes for patients with mitral valve disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Interventional Cardiology
- Valvular Heart Disease
Background:
- The management of mitral valve disease is evolving with new guidelines and treatment modalities.
- Degenerative and functional mitral regurgitation present distinct challenges in surgical and interventional approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key publications from the past year on surgical and transcatheter management of mitral valve disease.
- To highlight recent advancements and ongoing developments in mitral valve interventions.
Main Methods:
- Review of key publications in mitral valve surgery and intervention.
- Analysis of new guidelines and clinical trial data.
Main Results:
- Publication of the 2014 AHA/ACC Guidelines for Valvular Heart Disease.
- Increased emphasis on early surgical intervention for degenerative mitral regurgitation.
- Maturity of sternal-sparing minimally invasive mitral valve surgery with comparable outcomes and improved cosmesis.
- Ongoing development and evaluation of transcatheter mitral valve repair devices, such as MitraClip.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress in surgical treatments for degenerative and functional mitral regurgitation.
- Continued refinement and evaluation of transcatheter mitral valve interventions are essential.
Purpose Of Review:
In the past year, there has been progress on several fronts in the field of mitral valve surgery and intervention. Here, we review key publications regarding the surgical and transcatheter management of mitral valve disease.
Recent Findings:
This past year heralded the publication of the 2014 American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC) Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease. Regarding degenerative mitral regurgitation, low risk of operative mortality and data demonstrating clinical benefit for early surgery are prompting renewed calls for early intervention before guideline-based triggers. For functional mitral regurgitation, the precise roles of chordal-sparing replacement versus repair and the optimal management of moderate disease at the time of surgical revascularization are unclear. Sternal-sparing minimally invasive mitral valve surgery has become a mature procedure in experienced centers and offers comparable surgical morbidity and mortality with superior cosmesis and faster return to baseline function. Transcatheter interventions for mitral regurgitation continue to undergo development and testing. Mounting experience and ongoing clinical trials with the MitraClip endovascular edge-to-edge repair device will provide important data on the optimal target population for this device.
Summary:
This past year has seen important advances in the surgical treatment of degenerative and functional mitral regurgitation as well as continued refinement of transcatheter interventions.
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management
Mitral Regurgitation III: Medical Management
Mitral Valve Prolapse II: Assessment and Management
Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction

