Preparing for the holidays? Even if you don't have symptoms, repairing the valve sooner rather than later may be a wise choice. The four valves of your heart work like one-way swinging doors, opening and closing in a perfectly timed sequence to propel blood through your heart and the rest of your body. But the leaflets flaps of tissue that make up the valves and nearby structures don't always function as they should.
Perhaps because of the higher pressures in the heart's left side, the valves there are particularly vulnerable to problems. That includes the mitral valve, which separates the left upper and lower chambers of the heart see illustration. To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Already a member? Login ». As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. And you and your doctor can chart a path for your success. Working with your healthcare team to understand your options is important. We'll help you figure out the basics. When patients have the tools and resources they need to manage their condition, outcomes can be better.
What's mitral valve regurgitation? What's the problem that results from mitral regurgitation? What are the symptoms of mitral valve regurgitation? Mild mitral regurgitation may not have any symptoms.
What conditions may be related to mitral regurgitation? Last Reviewed: May 8, I need to understand the signs and symptoms of heart valve problems. If it is not treated, mitral regurgitation can cause other, more serious problems with your heart, such as heart failure. Medications may be prescribed to help manage symptoms of mitral regurgitation, such as diuretics for fluid buildup in the legs and lungs.
However, these medications only treat the symptoms and do not address the underlying problem with your mitral valve that is causing your disease. Considered the most effective long-term treatment for mitral regurgitation, surgery gives you the greatest probability for a safe and effective solution over time.
Several surgical procedures are available to repair or replace the mitral valve, including traditional open-heart surgery with an incision over the chest and sternum , minimally invasive surgery that does not involve opening the chest, and less invasive robotic and transcatheter procedures.
If mitral valve repair is an option for you, a surgical technique called an annuloplasty may be performed. This procedure typically involves the implantation of a device to tighten or replace the ring around the mitral valve annulus so that the valve leaflets can close properly. When needed, other techniques may be used to repair the valve. If the mitral valve cannot be repaired, your doctor may recommend valve replacement with an artificial prosthetic valve.
Two types of prosthetic mitral valves are available: mechanical or tissue. Unlike surgery, this procedure does not require chest incisions and temporarily stopping the heart. In this procedure, a clip will be implanted onto the center of your mitral valve.
This reduces mitral regurgitation, and the valve continues to open and close on either side of the clip, allowing blood to flow through. Surgical Mitral Valve Replacement. Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair. The information provided is not intended for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional advice. Consult with a physician or qualified healthcare provider for appropriate medical advice.
MAT v1. Meyer TE, et al. Pathophysiology and natural history of mitral stenosis. Nishimura RA, et al. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Goldman L, et al. Valvular heart disease. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Problem: Mitral valve stenosis. American Heart Association. Gaasch WH. Overview of the management of mitral stenosis. Riggin EA. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic Feb. Mankad R expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. Related Typical heart and heart with mitral valve stenosis.
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