Narrowing of the opening of the mitral valve in the heart. The left atrium (upper chamber) has to work harder to force blood through the narrowed valve. Mitral stenosis is more common in women and may be accompanied by mitral incompetence. Stenosis is usually due to damage to the valve caused by rheumatic fever. The main symptom is breathlessness on exertion. As mitral stenosis worsens, breathing difficulty eventually occurs when at rest. Other signs include palpitations, atrial fibrillation, and flushed cheeks. There may also be coughing up of blood and fatigue. Possible complications are as for mitral incompetence. A diagnosis is made from the patient’s history, listening to heart sounds, and by investigations such as an ECG, chest X-rays, echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization. Drug treatment is broadly the same as for mitral incompetence. If symptoms persist, balloon valvuloplasty may be carried out to stretch the valve. Alternatively, heart-valve surgery may be performed to replace the valve.
Mitral stenosis |
|
|