Rheumatic mitral valve repair: experience of 221 cases from Central Chest Institute of Thailand.

Rheumatic heart disease is a major problem in Thailand and this region. Surgical management is still a dilemma and problematic. Current understanding of mitral valve complex and its dynamics in combination with improvement of surgical techniques allow surgeon to repair rheumatic mitral valve disease better. Several innovative approaches have been introduced recently and greatly enhances the success of mitral valve repair in this clinical entity. This case report reviews the authors' current approaches and results in the repair of rheumatic mitral valve at Central Chest Institute of Thailand.