Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) occurs when one of your heart's valves doesn't work properly. One treatment option is a surgical procedure called mitral valve repair.

Robotic-assisted mitral valve repair is an alternative to conventional open heart surgery and mitral valve replacement. Robotic-assisted surgery can help your surgeon repair your existing valve rather than replace it. A valve repair can offer significant advantages over a mitral valve replacement, including: no need to take life-long blood thinners, decreased need for future valve surgery, reduced risk of surgical complications, a higher long-term survival rate and improved heart function.

Inova's state-of-the-art da Vinci® robotic surgical system provides your doctor a minimally invasive option to perform a precise operation through a few tiny incisions with enhanced vision, dexterity and control.

In addition to avoiding the pain and trauma of sternotomy (cracking open the breastbone to access the heart) and rib spreading, benefits of robotic-assisted surgery over open surgery include:

• Less risk of infection
• Less blood loss and need for blood transfusions
• Short hospital stay
• Significantly less pain and scarring
• Faster recovery
• Quicker return to normal activities
• Potentially better clinical outcome

Talk with your surgeon about whether robotic-assisted surgery is an option for you. Or call 1-855-My-Inova (1-855-694-6682) for a referral to one of our da Vinci robotic surgical specialists.