Purpose of review: To review trends in practice for mitral valve surgery in the US over the past decade.
Recent findings: Advances in the understanding of mitral valve pathophysiology and the technology involved with mitral valve surgery have led to significant changes of the current practice for mitral valve surgery, with mitral valve repair being the technique of choice. Mitral valve repair is currently applied to close to 60% of patients having surgery for mitral valve disease in the US. This trend in the change of practice also contributed to a sharp decrease in the use of mechanical mitral valve prosthesis even in the younger population.
Summary: Current practice for mitral valve surgery in the US reflects a steady increase in performed procedures over the last decade. The increased use of mitral valve repair techniques to address mitral valve disease can be related to increased surgical experience and greater understanding of the pathophysiology of mitral valve disease as well as the improved outcome related to mitral valve repair.