title: Surgical repair of cardiac valves.
abstract: The mitral, aortic, and tricuspid valves can be repaired, in experienced hands. Durability of repair, especially for the mitral valve, compares favorably to valve replacement. Repair of cardiac valves enables many patients to be free of life-long anticoagulation, maintain their native valve structure, reduce their risk for endocarditis, and avoid complications associated with prosthetic valve implants.
authors.affiliation: Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Units, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, G-54, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. hillk4@ccf.org
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans