Reference Center Qualifications
Mitral Valve Repair Reference Centers must have experienced cardiothoracic surgeons and structural heart cardiologists, along with facilities and support services, to perform mitral valve repair procedures with superior clinical outcomes1 .
Qualified centers must perform at least 50 index mitral valve repair procedures in the most recent year. Each center must have at least one surgeon who has performed a minimum of 25 index mitral valve repair procedures in the most recent year or an average of 25 per year for the most recent 2 years.
Index mitral valve procedures are operations for primary (degenerative) mitral valve disease with prolapse, excluding severe mitral annular calcification (MAC) and leaflet calcification, with or without concomitant operations.
Click here to view: Standards and Best Practices for Mitral Valve Repair Reference Centers
- 1El-Eshmawi A, Castillo J, Tang G, Adams D. Developing a mitral valve center of excellence. Current Opinion in Cardiology 2018;33(2):155-161. https://doi.org/10.1097/hco.0000000000000498
Standards and Best Practices for Mitral Valve Repair Reference Centers
Recommended Treatment
The recommended treatment for degenerative mitral valve disease is mitral valve reconstruction, as opposed to valve replacement with a bioprosthetic or mechanical valve, because valve repair is associated with improved survival and fewer long-term complications.