--- title: "Heart Valve Disease Services at Sutter Health" description: "Learning you have heart valve disease can feel overwhelming. Our cardiovascular specialists will explain your options and create a personalized treatment plan for you." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/heart-valve-disease" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services) / 3. Heart Valve Disease # Heart Valve Disease Learning you have heart valve disease can feel overwhelming. Our cardiovascular specialists will explain your options and create a personalized treatment plan for you. [Find a Doctor](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22acceptingNewPatients%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5Btrue%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_providerSpecialties.specialty.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Cardiothoracic+Surgery%22%2C%22Cardiovascular+Disease%22%2C%22Interventional+Cardiology%22%2C%22Thoracic+and+Cardiac+Surgery%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=healthcare_professionals) [Request a Referral](https://www.sutterhealth.org/referrals) ## Why Choose Sutter? Heart valve disease interrupts the normal flow of blood through your heart’s four valves — aortic valve, mitral valve, pulmonic valve and tricuspid valve — and can be very dangerous to your health. We specialize in various heart valve surgeries, including open-heart surgery and minimally invasive procedures for valve repair and replacement. We also offer advanced minimally invasive treatments using catheters, X-ray guidance and high-tech implants to treat heart valve disease. These methods allow for quick recovery, with most patients leaving the hospital the next day. ## By the Numbers ### 325+ Heart and Vascular Specialists provide award-winning cardiovascular care to adults and children.  ### 5 Cardiac Surgery Centers are the foundation of our cardiovascular program — one of the largest in the country. ### 800+ Heart Transplants provided since being the first hospital in Greater Sacramento to perform one.  ### 7 Hospitals Recognized by U.S. News & World Report for heart attack and heart failure care. ## Need a Referral? Chat live with our team Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, or call us at [888-834-1788](tel:+18888341788). [Request a Referral](https://www.sutterhealth.org/referrals) ## Conditions - Mitral Valve Disease - Mitral Valve Stenosis ## Diagnostics - Echocardiogram - X-ray ## Treatments - Aortic valve repair - Mitral valve repair - Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) - Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) ## Awards and accreditations [View all Awards and accreditations](https://www.sutterhealth.org/about-us/awards?verticalKey=awards&facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_awardServices.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Heart+valve+disease%22%5D%7D%5D) Healthgrades 2023 Five Stars for Valve Surgery U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Hospitals for Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) [View all Awards and accreditations](https://www.sutterhealth.org/about-us/awards?verticalKey=awards&facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_awardServices.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Heart+valve+disease%22%5D%7D%5D) ## Fixing a Leaky Mitral Valve Christian Spies, M.D., explains a minimally invasive procedure to repair a leaky mitral heart valve. ![doctor-touching-heart-icon](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/medical-doctors/doctor-touching-heart-icon.jpg?h=504&iar=0&w=692) ## Cardiovascular Disease Research Cardiovascular disease affects the blood vessels linked to your heart, brain and kidneys, causing problems like heart attacks and strokes. It's the leading cause of death and disability in the U.S., making it a top research priority. [View Clinical Trials](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Cardiovascular+Diseases%22%2C%22Electrophysiology%22%2C%22Heart+Failure%22%2C%22Ischemic+Heart%22%2C%22Structural+Heart%22%2C%22TAVR%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=clinical_trial) ## Sutter's Picks Health & wellness ### [Are Carbs Bad for Your Heart Health?](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/are-carbs-bad-for-your-heart) Find out how carbohydrates contribute to a well-rounded diet and a healthy heart. Health & wellness ### [Debunking Myths About Exercise and Your Heart](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/debunking-myths-about-exercise-and-your-heart) Get the facts to improve your heart health Health & wellness ### [Four Health Numbers You Should Know](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/four-health-numbers-you-should-know) Learn the four basic numbers you should know to assess your health. ## Patient stories [View all stories](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) - [Patient story ### A new beat for modern heart care ](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/a-new-beat-for-modern-heart-care-2061165961) - [Patient story ### Oakland Woman Turning 90 Gets Heart Repaired in Bay First ](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/oakland-woman-turning-90-gets-heart-repaired-in-bay-first-2023563871) - [Patient story ### This Device Saved ‘Jeopardy!’ Champ’s Life. What Is TAVR? ](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/this-device-saved-jeopardy-champs-life-what-is-tavr-2023563924) [View all stories](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) ## Frequently Asked Questions **What are the benefits of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR)?**  Mitral valve replacement with TMVR is a minimally invasive procedure that replaces a leaky heart valve and helps improve your blood flow. People can experience potential benefits of TMVR, including: - A quick recovery - Ability to return home from the hospital the following day - Fewer hospitalizations - Less blood backflow and accompanying symptoms - No need for open heart surgery - Possibility of not needing lifelong anticoagulants This procedure is only suitable for patients too sick for surgery, as determined by their heart team and an experienced cardiac surgeon. [Talk to your doctor](https://myhealthonline.sutterhealth.org/mho/Authentication/Login) about the best option for you. **What are the benefits of MitralClip®?** TMVR with MitralClip ® is a minimally invasive procedure that reinforces a leaky heart valve so that it can close properly. People can experience potential benefits of MitralClip® repair, including: - A quick recovery - Ability to return home from the hospital the following day - Fewer hospitalizations - Less likely need for repeat valve surgery - Less blood backflow and accompanying symptoms - No need for open heart surgery - No need for lifelong anticoagulants - Preservation of their natural valve, which generally leads to better procedure results TMVR with MitraClip® is only suitable for patients too sick for surgery, as determined by their heart team and an experienced cardiac surgeon. [Talk to your doctor](https://myhealthonline.sutterhealth.org/mho/Authentication/Login) to find out if a MitraClip® repair is right for you. ## Find a Doctor Find your Sutter Health doctor. [Find a Doctor](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22acceptingNewPatients%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5Btrue%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_providerSpecialties.specialty.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Cardiothoracic+Surgery%22%2C%22Cardiovascular+Disease%22%2C%22Interventional+Cardiology%22%2C%22Thoracic+and+Cardiac+Surgery%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=healthcare_professionals#virtual) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/heart-valve-disease#medicalwebpage","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/heart-valve-disease","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/heart-valve-disease#breadcrumblist"},"name":"Heart valve disease at Sutter Health","description":"Learning you have heart valve disease can feel overwhelming. 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People can experience potential benefits of TMVR, including: A quick recovery Ability to return home from the hospital the following day Fewer hospitalizations Less blood backflow and accompanying symptoms No need for open heart surgery Possibility of not needing lifelong anticoagulants This procedure is only suitable for patients too sick for surgery, as determined by their heart team and an experienced cardiac surgeon. Talk to your doctor about the best option for you."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are the benefits of MitralClip®?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"TMVR with MitralClip ® is a minimally invasive procedure that reinforces a leaky heart valve so that it can close properly. People can experience potential benefits of MitralClip® repair, including: A quick recovery Ability to return home from the hospital the following day Fewer hospitalizations Less likely need for repeat valve surgery Less blood backflow and accompanying symptoms No need for open heart surgery No need for lifelong anticoagulants Preservation of their natural valve, which generally leads to better procedure results TMVR with MitraClip® is only suitable for patients too sick for surgery, as determined by their heart team and an experienced cardiac surgeon. Talk to your doctor to find out if a MitraClip® repair is right for you."}}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/heart-valve-disease#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Services","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/services"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Heart Valve Disease"}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Leaky Mitral Valve: How Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Works","thumbnailUrl":"https://cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net/v1/static/817826402001/8683d5e1-0164-45b5-80e2-340c636676fe/6ff1ad99-300c-45db-a0e0-0652b370bfa2/1280x720/match/image.jpg","uploadDate":"2022-05-20T00:00:07.748Z","embedUrl":"https://players.brightcove.net/817826402001/79bcaa57-54d7-453c-9f1f-8ab3ef7b15de/index.html?videoId=6306499415112","description":"Christian Spies, M.D., explains a minimally invasive procedure to repair a leaky mitral heart valve.","duration":"PT1M12S","transcript":"When your heart's mitral valve doesn't close properly,\nwe call this condition mitral regurgitation or a leaky mitral valve.\nWhen the mitral valve can't close properly,\nBlood can seep back and forth between the chambers of your heart\ninstead of moving efficiently to the rest of your body.\nPeople with a leaky mitral valve often struggle with day to day living.\nTheir lungs are filled up with fluid, which makes breathing and moving\na challenge.\nThey may feel fatigued, weak, and have swollen ankles.\nOver the past 16 years,\nwe've seen the rise of a procedure called transcatheter mitral valve repair\nwhich uses a mitral valve repair device.\nThrough a puncture in the right leg,\nWe're able to insert a tube that transports the repair device to the heart.\nThe two arms of the clip grasp the opposing leaflets of the mitral valve,\npulling them closer together,\nsuch that the valve stops leaking.\nQuick recovery is one of the amazing benefits of this procedure.\nPatients are often up and walking the same day.\nThey're usually released from the hospital the day after surgery."} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Non-Surgical Mitral Valve Repair – Mitral Clip","thumbnailUrl":"https://cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net/v1/static/817826402001/25b8daca-6ce3-4137-a392-612b838f40a2/34509ac9-bedb-4d44-bf98-24e743e87c8b/640x360/match/image.jpg","uploadDate":"2019-03-13T20:04:38.345Z","embedUrl":"https://players.brightcove.net/817826402001/79bcaa57-54d7-453c-9f1f-8ab3ef7b15de/index.html?videoId=6013614258001","description":"Through a small catheter, surgeons in the Sutter Health network can repair a person’s mitral valve. The non-surgical mitral valve repair (Mitral Clip) procedure treats mitral regurgitation and helps people quickly regain control of their lives. ","duration":"PT2M23S","transcript":"When your heart’s mitral valve doesn’t close properly,\nit takes a big toll on your health.\nYou may feel tired just walking from the couch to the fridge.\nWe call this condition mitral regurgitation,\nor a leaky mitral valve.\nTo get a better idea of what’s going on with a leaky mitral\nvalve, think of the mitral valve as two curtains in front\nof a window.\nThey’re supposed to open and close to block out the light.\nBut if there’s a gap where they can’t cover the window,\nlight begins to peak through.\nThis essentially is what’s happening to a leaky heart\nvalve.\nWhen the mitral valve can’t close properly,\nblood can seep back and forth between the chambers\nof your heart, instead of moving efficiently to the rest\nof your body.\nPeople with a leaky mitral valve often\nstruggle with day-to-day living.\nTheir lungs are filling up with fluid,\nwhich makes breathing and moving a challenge.\nThey may feel fatigued, weak and have swollen ankles.\nFor years, the only way to treat a leaky mitral valve\nwas through open-heart surgery.\nUnfortunately for people who are elderly or sick,\nit’s too risky and simply commonly is not an option.\nLuckily over the past 16 years, we’ve seen the rise\nof a procedure called transcatheter mitral valve\nrepair, which uses a mitral valve repair device.\nThrough a puncture in the right leg,\nwe’re able to insert a tube that transports the mitral valve\nrepair device to the heart.\nSurgeons place the repair device,\nwhich actually looks like a clip, onto the mitral valve.\nThe two arms of the clip grasp the opposing leaflets\nof the mitral valve pulling them closer together such\nthat the valve stops leaking.\nInstantly, we know if it’s working and can make\nadjustments on the fly if needed.\nQuick recovery is one of the amazing benefits\nof this procedure.\nAfter open heart surgery, a person\nneeds 9 to 12 weeks to recover.\nAfter transcatheter mitral valve repair,\npatients are often up and walking the same day.\nThey’re usually released from the hospital the day after\nsurgery.\nThe Sutter Health network has made\nit possible to bring transcatheter mitral valve\nrepair technology to heart patients\nthroughout Northern California.\nOur vast network of hospitals and cardiovascular specialists\nprovides advanced heart care near you.\nYou don’t have to travel far for this life-changing treatment."} ```