If you’ve been diagnosed with Barlow’s Mitral Valve Disease, it’s important to see a surgeon who has experience repairing this complex, degenerative form of mitral valve prolapse, typically prolapse that involves both mitral leaflets.
The complexity of surgical lesions in patients who have bi-leaflet prolapse often include excessively thick and billowing leaflet segments, chordae tendineae elongation and/or rupture, and severe dilation of the valve as well as the heart chambers. Many patients will develop atrial fibrillation, as their heart chambers enlarge.
With my patient’s permission to post, this is a video taken today in the operating room during a complex mitral valve repair operation for bi-leaflet valve prolapse in a patient with Barlow’s Mitral Valve Disease.
In this video, I show the anatomy of the underlying pathology as well as explaining how we were able obtain a successful repair.
Remember, it’s important to ask your surgeon how many mitral valve repair operations they perform yearly and also their success rate. A qualified surgeon should perform more than 25 mitral valve repairs per year with a repair rate of greater than 95% rather than replacing the valve with an artificial one. Always better to have your mitral valve repaired!
Most important of all, never hesitate to ask for a second opinion!
Recent Posts
Why Social Media?
Why would a heart surgeon spend time creating social media content? Dr. Raymond Singer shares why education has always been at the heart of his mission and how today’s digital platforms allow physicians to reach and empower thousands of patients with accurate, compassionate, evidence-based medical information.
The Legacy We Leave Behind
Success is often measured by accomplishments, titles, and recognition, but the greatest legacy we leave is found in the lives we touch. Dr. Singer reflects on the enduring impact of compassion, mentorship, and service, reminding us that our influence extends far beyond our careers.
250 Years of Medicine
Philadelphia is known as the birthplace of American democracy, but it is also the birthplace of American medicine. Dr. Raymond Singer reflects on the physicians, hospitals, and medical institutions that transformed healthcare and continue to shape medicine 250 years later.
The Most Dangerous Emotion
Anger is more than an emotion. It places real physical stress on the heart, raising blood pressure, increasing stress hormones, and contributing to cardiovascular disease. Dr. Raymond Singer discusses the medical effects of chronic anger and why choosing kindness, patience, and compassion benefits both our emotional well-being and our hearts.
Leadership is About Standards
Leadership is not about titles. It is about standards. The best leaders don’t ask others to do what they are unwilling to do themselves. They set the tone through integrity, consistency, humility, and kindness. Every interaction, every decision, and every challenge...
Stroke Survivor Shares Her Open Heart Surgery Recovery
After experiencing a stroke caused by tiny growths on her aortic valve, Tayshia underwent open heart surgery to prevent another stroke. Just eight hours later, she shares her experience, describing minimal pain, a successful valve repair, and renewed peace of mind.
Featured
Pages
- Learn about heart valves. Heart Valves
- Read testimonials. Testimonials
- Did you know I have a consulting firm? Singer Heart/Lung Consulting
- Check out my TedTalk! Defining Success
Links
- Links page with more information about your heart. Links
- Dr. Adam Pick's Site: heart-valve-surgery.com
