Minimally invasive mitral valve replacement

I am a 51-year-old female in excellent health except for mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation. I have only palpitations with occasional rapid heart beat.  I am not on any medications other than vitamins.  On a recent echocardiogram, the cardiologist told me I would need valve repair maybe in one to five years.  He did not seem to know about minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, and I would appreciate some information about the status of this surgery - is it easily available now or is it still experimental?
Also, I take 1000 mg of vitamin E daily with B-complex, 200 mg of magnesium, and vitamin A.  The cardiologist wanted me to take one baby aspirin a day, but I read that one should not take aspirin with vitamin E as the E is a powerful anticoagulant.  I take the E because it has completely eliminated my hot flashes due to menopause.  Also, aspirin irritates my stomach.  What is your opinion concerning the use of Vitamin E instead of aspirin?  I have read studies that showed the the E was more effective than the aspirin.  

Thank you for your help.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear All,

Thank you for your comments and questions.  Minimally invasive surgeries or using smaller chest wall openings and accesses are growing in popularity but should only be done in experienced hands due to technically limited fields that these surgeires provide.  

This would be an option for anyone who needed a straigthfoward procedure, but as everyone has emphasized it is still open heart surgery and may shave off one day on the hospital stay.  Please do not tie the hands of your surgeon by being set on this approach.  each patient is individual.

As far as the aspirin and vit. E.  take your aspirin if you have to take one or the other otherwise, you may take both and monitor for signs of bleeding.  Aspirin is one of the most importaant medications to keep your heart healthy.

vitamin E has far less data to suggest an improvement in outcomes.