Mitral Valve Disease: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Mitral valve disease is the group of conditions impacting the mitral valve. The mitral valve is present in between the left chambers of the heart. It allows oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle and ultimately suffuse the remaining body with refreshing oxygen. In mitral valve disease, the blood flow between the left two chambers does not occur as it is supposed to. The blood may even flow backward.  

In this article we will discuss everything one needs to be aware about Mitral Valve Disease. This post was drafted with the help of information gathered from a leading heart doctor in Delhi, Dr. Sujay Shad will act as a comprehensive guide for our readers. This will contain information related to mitral valve disease types, symptoms, causes, and treatment.

Mitral valve disease can be a congenital or an acquired condition. It can be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild mitral valve disease may cause no symptoms or major issues while severe disease or damage of the mitral valve can over time harm the heart and lead to serious heart problems like heart failure. There are different forms of mitral valve disease and some people might have more than one of the forms. Each form of mitral valve disease affects the valve function in a slightly different manner. Let’s learn about the different types of mitral valve disease. 

Mitral Valve Stenosis- The mitral valve is made of two strong tissue flaps called leaflets or cusps. These flaps open and close in a coordinated rhythm to let blood flow in a forward direction. In mitral valve stenosis, these flaps become thick and stiff. This narrows the opening of the mitral valve and makes it tough for the left atrium to empty all of the blood to the left ventricle. 

 

Mitral Valve Prolapse- In this form of mitral valve disease, the flaps of the mitral valve become stretched and bulge into the left atrium. This makes it harder for the mitral valve to close as it should. Sometimes, it may result in leaking of the valve. 

 

Mitral Valve Regurgitation- Commonly known as “leaky valve” or sometimes “mitral insufficiency”, this kind of mitral valve disease causes some of the blood to backflow into the left atrium. This happens because the flaps of the mitral valve pull apart and cannot be completely closed.  

Depending upon the form and severity of mitral valve disease, some patients might have no symptoms at all while some may have few. The symptoms commonly seen in patients with mitral valve disease include:

Mitral valve disease can occur due to various reasons, including:

Depending upon the cause, symptoms, form, and severity of the mitral valve disease as well as the patient’s age, health status, and medical records, an appropriate treatment option is decided by the cardiologist. Usually, there is no need for treatment if there are no symptoms. If there are symptoms, treatment may be needed. Some of the medical treatments for mitral valve disease include:

Medications: To help manage some of the symptoms of mitral valve disease like heart palpitations, hypertension, and swelling, some medications may be recommended. The drugs include beta-blockers, diuretics, and calcium channel blockers. 

 

Balloon Valvotomy (Valvuloplasty): This is recommended to treat mitral valve stenosis. In this treatment, a catheter with an inflatable balloon at one end is guided through the blood vessels until it reaches the heart. Upon reaching the mitral valve, the balloon is filled with air to separate the valve’s flaps and widen the mitral valve opening. 

Mitral Valve Repair Surgery: This is preferred over replacement surgery to fix a leaky or stiffy mitral valve. During the procedure, the surgeon patches holes in the leaky mitral valve, reattached the mitral valve flaps, removes extra tissues from flaps to allow them to close tightly, replaces supporting cords of the mitral valves to repair mitral valve structure, or separates the fused valve’s flaps. 

 

 

Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery: When necessary, this surgery is performed for a leaky or stiff mitral valve. The procedure involves the removal and replacement of the affected mitral valve with either a mechanical valve or a biological tissue valve. 

 

Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair: The methods include partial upper sternotomy, mini-thoracotomy, and robot-assisted mitral valve repair. 

 

Percutaneous Mitral Valve Replacement: In some cases, a catheter approach may be used to insert a replacement valve into a biological tissue valve with impaired functioning. This is known as the valve-in-valve procedure. It is performed when the replacement surgery would be very risky and it’s anatomically feasible for the patient. 

Percutaneous Intervention with Mitral Valve Clip: This is one of the mitral valve repair procedures wherein a catheter having a clip at one end is guided through a groin artery. Upon reaching the mitral valve, the clip is used to fix a torn or leaky mitral valve flap. It is recommended for patients suffering from severe mitral valve regurgitation who are not suitable candidates for mitral valve repair surgery. 

Heart is an important organ in the human body. To lead a happy and healthy life it is important to keep your heart healthy and at the best. Owing to the advancements in medical technology, we are blessed that advanced procedures are available to deal with the issues related to the heart. If one is looking for Mitral Valve Repair in India, one can consult a heart specialist and top cardiac surgeon, Dr. Sujay Shad.

He is a well-known and best cardiologist in the nation and practices at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, one of the top heart hospitals in Delhi, India. He and his team of experts have performed many complicated life-saving heart surgeries on people of all ages. He also has expertise in performing heart transplantation surgery, and on a daily basis, he helps people with their heart issues. To know more, consult Dr. Sujay Shad today at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital!

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