Half Of Eligible Patients Not Getting Mitral Valve Surgery, Study Shows

Repairing a leaking mitral valve is safer than ever, but half of eligible patients are not getting the heart surgery, according to a new study. The longer the leak continues the more likely there will be permanent damage to the heart. But fears about surgical risk and lack of awareness -- even by physicians -- about guidelines for treating mitral regurgitation lead to a lack of referrals.

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