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The mitral valve is positioned in the heart’s left side, between the left upper chamber (left atrium) and the left lower chamber (left ventricle).
Heart disease can be caused by many different things and comes in many different forms. When the heart valve becomes diseased, one of two things happens: it doesn’t close tightly enough (mitral regurgitation) to keep blood from backing up into the chamber from which it flowed; or, it doesn’t open widely enough (mitral stenosis) to allow adequate amounts of blood to flow into the chamber.
Mitral valve prolapse (which is also known as floppy valve syndrome) is a bulging of one or both valve leaflets. Mitral valve prolapse does not always require treatment, but it can lead to mitral incompetence (and, in fact, is its number one cause).
When blood flow is compromised, mild to severe symptoms can result. With today’s advanced medical technology, diseased valves can be repaired or replaced. |
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| Heart Valve Repair |
A variety of techniques can be used to repair your heart valve. If your valve cannot be repaired, then it will be removed and a new valve (mechanical or tissue) will be inserted in its place. Often, a surgeon will not know exactly what is needed (repair or replacement) until he or she looks at the valve and surrounding structures during surgery. A surgeon often will try to use repair techniques, if possible, to save your native valve. If it is clear that repair is not an option, the valve will be replaced. |
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| Heart Valve Replacement |
If a surgeon cannot repair your heart valve, it will be removed and the physician will sew an artificial (prosthetic) valve to the remaining tissue from the native valve. Throughout the world, 95% of all valve replacements are performed for mitral or aortic valves.
Today, there are two types of prosthetic valves used for replacement: mechanical or tissue. Read more about both types below. |
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| Mechanical Valves |
A mechanical valve is made from manufactured materials and is carefully designed to mimic the native heart valve. It has a ring, like the native heart valve, to support the leaflets. Like the native heart valve, the mechanical valve opens and closes with each heartbeat, permitting proper blood flow through the heart. To prevent any blood clots from developing on the valve, which can cause complications, a mechanical valve replacement requires you to take anticoagulation medicine (blood thinners) daily. The dosage of this medication is different for each person, so you will be closely monitored to make sure you are on the correct dosage for you. Regular blood tests will be performed at the physician's office, an anticoagulation clinic, or at home with a specialized testing kit. |
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| Tissue Valves |
The tissue valve is a native valve that has been taken from an animal. Once the tissue is explanted (removed), it is chemically treated and prepared for human use. Some tissue valves have a frame, or stent, that supports the valve, and some valves are a stentless design. A very thin polyester mesh cuff is sewn around the outside of the valve for easier implantation. Eliminating the stent makes it possible for the surgeon to implant a larger valve. Larger valves generally provide more surface area for blood flow; hence, there is an increased amount of blood flowing through the valve to accommodate the body's needs. |
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| Homografts or Allografts |
A homograft or allograft is a human valve obtained from a donor. This type of valve is particularly beneficial for pregnant women and children, because it does not require long-term anticoagulation therapy. In addition, it provides near native hemodynamic performance, allowing for natural function of the surrounding structures. Because the availability of these valves is dependent upon donors, there is often limited availability. |
| Symptoms & Diagnosis |
A.) Mitral Stenosis
Symptoms |
| Dyspnea on exertion, fatigue and weakness, orthopnea (difficulty in breathing other than upright position) night dyspnea, mild hemoptysis (vomiting blood). |
The patient is at an increased risk of pulmonary infections.
B.) Mitral Regurgitation
Symptoms |
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Weakness |
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Fatigue |
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Exertional dyspnea |
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Palpitations |
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Symptoms related to left ventricular failure &pulmonary congestion. (Pulmonary edema) |
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c.) Mitral Valve Prolapse
Symptoms |
A typical chest pain that is felt in the left mammary region, which is stabbing in quality, palpitations may be experienced.
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