Why Do Mitral Valves Sometimes Need to Be Re-Repaired?

If you’ve already had mitral valve repair, why might your valve ever need to be re-repaired? What happens if a leak (regurgitation) returns on your echocardiogram, and what treatment options are available? To answer these important questions, we spoke with Dr. Marc Gillinov, Chairman of Cardiac Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. In this educational video, Dr. Gillinov explains why a small leak is normal after surgery, what can cause a repaired mitral valve to start leaking again, and when patients may need a reoperation or a transcatheter therapy. (Video posted on December 5, 2025)