title: Surgical options in rheumatic mitral valve disease in children: a surgeon's perspective.
abstract: In children with rheumatic heart disease, conservative valve surgery is the best option whenever feasible. Surgeons must develop an attitude and interest in valve repair techniques that can be easily learned. Patients who undergo valve repair at an early age are at risk of requiring additional surgery over time. Mechanical valve replacement, nonetheless, should be reserved for situations where more conservative approaches are not feasible.
authors.forename: Arkalgud Sampath
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D058386:Mitral Valve Annuloplasty; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D018579:Patient Selection; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: pediatric; rheumatic heart disease; valve surgery