Surgical Techniques for Mitral Valve Repair: A Review for the Non-Cardiac Surgeon.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review provides an overview of surgical techniques for mitral valve repair, emphasizing advancements in artificial cordal repair, annuloplasty, and resectional approaches. It aims to equip non-cardiac surgeons with insights into the principles and strategies that underpin successful valve repair, encouraging broader application in clinical practice.

RECENT FINDINGS: Innovations in mitral valve repair, including the adoption of artificial neochordae and advancements in annuloplasty devices, have continued to improve repair durability. Intraoperative tools, such as transesophageal echocardiography, remain essential for optimizing outcomes. Nonetheless, significant variability persists in repair rates across regions and surgeons, highlighting opportunities for improvement. Mitral valve repair remains the gold standard for managing degenerative mitral regurgitation, with proven benefits in survival and long-term outcomes. As techniques become more reproducible and accessible, expanding repair expertise and improving national repair rates could significantly improve patient outcomes.