Print Annuloplasty Annuloplasty Enlarge image Close Annuloplasty Annuloplasty In annuloplasty, the surgeon tightens, reshapes or strengthens the ring around a valve in the heart. An annuloplasty is a surgery to tighten, reshape or strengthen the ring around a heart valve. Surgeons may do this during other treatments to repair a heart valve. Why it's doneA surgeon does an annuloplasty to reshape, strengthen or tighten the ring around a damaged or diseased heart valve. The ring around a valve in the heart is called the annulus. It can widen and change from its usual shape. The shape change may prevent the valve's flaps from opening and closing as they should. So blood can leak backward through the valve. This is a condition called valve regurgitation. A heart that is larger than usual or a leaky heart valve may cause the annulus to change shape. A surgeon may do an annuloplasty to fix the valve. Other surgeries to repair a heart valve may be done at the same time. RisksSome possible risks of an annuloplasty are: Bleeding from the surgical cut. Infection. A heart valve that becomes too narrow due to too much tightening during surgery. To lower risks like these, it's best to see a surgeon who has expertise in doing heart valve repair surgeries. What you can expect Annuloplasty mitral valve repair Enlarge image Close Annuloplasty mitral valve repair Annuloplasty mitral valve repair In annuloplasty, the surgeon tightens, reshapes or strengthens the ring around a heart valve, such as the mitral valve. The ring helps close the valve flaps, also called leaflets, which control blood flow through the valve. Annuloplasty may be done at the same time as heart valve repairs. In an annuloplasty, the heart surgeon measures the size of the existing ring around the valve. Then the surgeon sews a band to the existing ring. The band may be rigid or flexible. A surgeon can do an annuloplasty during open-heart surgery. Or a surgeon can do an annuloplasty with minimally invasive heart surgery, which involves smaller cuts. With either method, your surgery team gives you a mix of medicines to put you in a sleeplike state. The medicines are called general anesthetics. Researchers are studying less invasive ways to do annuloplasty and other heart valve treatments using long, thin tubes called catheters. These are called transcatheter treatments. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment April 16, 2024 PrintShow references Bhatt DL, ed. Transcatheter mitral valve intervention. In: Cardiovascular Intervention: A Companion to Braunwald's Heart Disease. 2nd ed. Elsevier; 2024. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 23, 2025. Sellke FW, et al. Percutaneous/transcatheter mitral valve repair techniques. In: Atlas of Cardiac Surgical Techniques. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2026. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 24, 2025. Wang H, et al. Surgical techniques for mitral valve repair: A review for the non-cardiac surgeon. Current Cardiology Reports. 2025; doi:10.1007/s11886-025-02213-y. Fuster V, et al., eds. Mitral regurgitation. In: Fuster and Hurst's the Heart. 15th ed. McGraw Hill; 2022. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Oct. 23, 2025. Libby P, et al., eds. Transcatheter therapies for mitral and tricuspid valvular heart disease. In: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 23, 2025. Asgar AW. Functional mitral regurgitation: Transcatheter therapy. Interventional Cardiology Clinics. 2024; doi:10.1016/j.iccl.2023.12.001. Medical review (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Nov. 6, 2025. Related Incisions in minimally invasive heart surgery and open-heart surgery Mayo Clinic Minute: Mitral valve clip Mitral valve disease Mitral valve prolapse Mitral valve regurgitation Mitral valve regurgitation Mitral valve repair Mitral valve repair Mitral valve repair surgery Mitral valve stenosis Robot-assisted minimally invasive mitral valve repair at Mayo Clinic Robotic heart surgery – What you should know and what you should ask Transcatheter mitral valve replacement Show more related content Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has been recognized as one of the top Cardiology & Heart Surgery hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about this top honor Mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacementAboutDoctors&DepartmentsCareatMayoClinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. NEW: Mayo Clinic Guide to Better Sleep Listen to Health Matters Podcast Mayo Clinic on Incontinence The Essential Diabetes Book FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book AnnuloplastyRequest an Appointment PRC-20214389 Tests & Procedures Mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement