“Ipsa scientia potestas est” (knowledge itself is power)
— Sir Francis Bacon
 
 
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The mitral valve

A picture of the mitral valve as seen by the surgeon at the time of minimally invasive mitral valve repair.

 

Why Mitral Therapies.com

 

As cardiac surgeons caring for patients who seek help with their mitral valve problems we found some concerning commonalities to these patient's stories of adversity. 

The first is the shock of being told they have a heart problem that needs surgical intervention or in the least 'a' form of intervention. This information can be crippling for some. We got to see how the news paralyzes some, while others seek out and inform themselves. Every mind is different and it is understandable. The anxiety and fear brought on by such news cannot be judged, but by the person living through it. 

The second challenge we recognized is the small amounts of factual information presented in layman's terms for patients. Knowledge is power or at least it empowers us to make the best decisions possible. When buying a car there are so many reviews on a particular brand and model as well as resources to find the best deal and the friendliest car dealer. When it comes to healthcare we are behind in being able to provide the same level resources on the pathology/problem, the people/surgeons that specialize in the problem, and finally the best approach/operation for the problem. We thought this needs to change and this website is our first attempt in improving at least one, hopefully two of these situations.  

The mission of MitralTherapies.com is to provide the factual information regarding mitral valve disease, its symptoms, its long-term outcome and the most up-to-date way of treating the different problems that plague patients with mitral valve disease. All of this within what in medicine is known as evidence-based therapies and those therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States.  We will discuss a new and emerging therapy that is not FDA approved because of its importance as an alternative treatment of a severe mitral valve problem who’s only other form of surgical treatment carries a high complication rate.

The information provided on this site is intended to improve, not replace, the direct relationship between the patient (or site visitor) and healthcare professionals and is not intended to become or substitute medical advise, but rather provide information about diseases of the mitral valve as well as the available approved therapies for these conditions. Because the main objective is to inform non-medical persons the language use is not necessarily medical parlance. The information contained here is based on the most accepted therapies with the strongest evidence of success within the specialty of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery. No citations are used, as the data presented does not portend to present the scientific basis supporting a therapy, but merely making the person aware of its acceptance. 

Within this website you will find links to professional associations and other relevant websites that provide factual information on mitral valve care including the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, The American Heart Association, and the American College of Cardiology. 


 
 


All images and content provided by Mario Castillo-Sang, MD and Rochus Voeller, MD

MitralTherapies.com is solely owned by MitralTherapies.com LLC and does not receive support or payment from advertisement or industry sponsors.