Mitral Valve Stenosis
Mitral valve stenosis, a form of valvular heart disease, is characterized by the narrowing of the opening in the mitral valve, which lies between the left atrium and the left ventricle in the heart. This narrowing can reduce the amount of blood the heart can pump, leaving you tired and often short of breath.
What causes mitral valve stenosis?
There are three main causes of mitral valve stenosis:
- Rheumatic fever: rheumatic fever, a complication of strep throat or scarlet fever, can cause the mitral valve to thicken, reducing blood flow.
- Calcium deposits: calcium builds up around the valve, leading to narrowing and a reduction in blood flow.
- Congenital heart defect: on rare occasions, babies are born with a defective valve, which may cause problems over time.
What are the symptoms of mitral valve stenosis?
The symptoms of mitral valve stenosis depend on the stage of the disease. In the early stages, the symptoms are similar to those of heart failure and may include:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath with exertion or when lying flat
- Shortness of breath and coughing during the night
- Swollen ankles and feet
- Heart palpitations (rapid, fluttering heartbeat)
- Heavy coughing which may produce blood-stained mucus
If left untreated, mitral valve stenosis can strain your heart and lead to other, more serious conditions, such as blood clots, heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension.
What are my treatment options for mitral valve stenosis?
The primary treatment for mitral valve stenosis is mitral valve repair or replacement surgery. When possible, it is preferred to repair a damaged mitral valve using minimally invasive surgery. Learn more about valve repair.
Surgical mitral valve replacement options:
During a valve replacement, a surgeon removes the restricted mitral valve and replaces it with either a mechanical or tissue valve. Learn more about valve replacement.
- Tissue valves are sourced from organ donors or compatible animals.
- Mechanical valves are made from metal and are very durable.
Medication is a lifetime requirement for some valve replacement patients:
Patients who opt for mechanical valves are put on anticoagulant medication, for life, to prevent blood clots from forming.
What is minimally invasive mitral valve repair?
The mitral valve is one of the four heart valves and it controls the entrance of oxygenated blood from the lungs into the heart. When the valve becomes impaired, and a surgical solution is needed, mitral valve repair accesses the valve through a small two-inch incision in the chest to repair the valve. SLUCare Physician Group, the academic medical practice of SSM Health, has cardiac surgeons who specialize in minimally invasive mitral valve repair.
Patients between 30 and 50 years old typically have the best results from mitral valve repair. A mitral valve replacement in this age range would put the patient at risk of blood-thinner related complications and subject the patient to the possible complications of an artificial valve for many years to come. Since the risks associated with mitral valve replacement complications and complications of blood thinners develop as the number of years patient lives with the artificial valve, younger patients have an increased potential to develop these risks due to the longer expected life span.
Generally mitral valve repair success rates at discharge are approximately 93%, with a freedom from reoperation of 94% at 10 years. Similar results were found for the patients undergoing mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral valve disease. Additional benefits:
- Less use of Coumadin (blood thinner)
- Better preserved heart functions
- Less pain
- Shorter hospital stays
- Faster recovery
- Reduced risk of infection
- Smaller incision and less scarring
As with every surgical procedure, minimally invasive mitral valve repair does have its risks. Make an appointment with our heart and vascular team to learn more this procedure and whether it might be right for you. We’re here to answer questions, ease your concerns and help you decide about treatment.