Though valve replacement surgery is very common, your doctors will always prefer to repair your natural valve before replacing it. When the outflow valves (aortic and pulmonary) are not functioning properly, a balloon catheter can sometimes be used to restore more normal function. This is called valvuloplasty, just like angioplasty is used to open coronary arteries. Repair of the tricuspid and mitral valves usually requires open heart surgery to repair a damaged valve leaflet or a weakened valve annulus.

This module presents some of the most common procedures to repair the valves of the heart. Click the dropdown menu in the player window to select a procedure and learn more.