title: Mitral valve surgery: replacement vs reconstruction.
abstract: In comparative series, valve repair has been effective, with few of the problems--notably, thromboemboli--associated with replacement procedures. Although many patients are elderly and have coronary artery disease, reparative surgery not only is low-risk but also allows earlier intervention, before irreversible left ventricular damage occurs.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Boston.
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Cohn
mesh_terms: D004452:Echocardiography; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012086:Reoperation; D016276:Ventricular Function