Mitral valve repair in dogs.

Prognosis for dogs with severe mitral regurgitation is poor with medical therapy alone. Open surgical mitral valve repair consisting of circumferential mitral annuloplasty and artificial chordal replacement confers durability and improved long-term clinical outcome without a need for long-term antithrombotic therapies. This approach has been successfully used in canine patients, including small-breed dogs. Methods for mitral valve repair applicable to small dogs are described.