JFK Medical Center recently became one of only five hospitals in the world to currently offer a new mitral valve technique. The surgery was performed by Malcolm Dorman, M.D., Medical Director of Cardiac Surgery and Medical Director of the Valvular Heart Institute at JFK Medical Center. The surgery was performed on a 36-year old man who came from Argentina to have the procedure. This new procedure involves a new way to treat “Myxomatous” mitral valve disease. A myxomatous mitral valve is also referred to as a “floppy” or “billowing” mitral valve and has thickened leaflets and the excess valve tissue can cause stress that leads to ruptured chords and mitral valve insufficiency.
In the past, surgeons that tried to repair these types of valves have had varying degrees of success because the old techniques to reshape the valve have many variables and it is difficult to reproduce. This new technique is more predictable and reproducible. When asked about the procedure, Dr. Dorman said, “An innovation like this is exciting because it can dramatically improve patient lifestyle. Rather than receiving a mechanical valve replacement and having to be placed on a life long treatment of anticoagulation, the patient can return to a normal lifestyle with a restored normal life span.” Dr. Dorman went on to say that, “At JFK, we are now one of the world leaders in mitral valve repair.”
JFK Medical Center recently became one of only five hospitals in the world to currently offer a new mitral valve technique. The surgery was performed by Malcolm Dorman, M.D., Medical Director of Cardiac Surgery and Medical Director of the Valvular Heart Institute at JFK Medical Center. The surgery was performed on a 36-year old man who came from Argentina to have the procedure. This new procedure involves a new way to treat “Myxomatous” mitral valve disease. A myxomatous mitral valve is also referred to as a “floppy” or “billowing” mitral valve and has thickened leaflets and the excess valve tissue can cause stress that leads to ruptured chords and mitral valve insufficiency. 
