Doctor Q&A: Could Minimally-Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery Be Right for You?

Patients with mitral valve regurgitation often want to know whether their surgery can be performed through a smaller incision instead of a traditional sternotomy. In this video, Dr. Kenan Yount, a cardiac surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, explains how doctors determine whether a patient is a good candidate for minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. He reviews the importance of evaluating symptoms and using tests such as echocardiograms, cardiac MRI and stress testing to understand the severity of the valve condition and select the safest treatment approach.

Dr. Yount also discusses factors that may make a minimally invasive procedure less appropriate, including multiple valve problems, coronary artery blockages, peripheral vascular disease and an increased stroke risk. He explains that both mitral valve repair and replacement may be performed through a minimally invasive approach and notes that certain procedures for atrial fibrillation may also be possible, depending on the patient’s heart function and overall condition. (Video posted on July 17, 2026)