What is Mitral Valve Stenosis and what is the best treatment ?

Stenosis of the mitral valve, which controls blood flow from one heart chamber to the other, is called mitral stenosis. The major pumping chamber of your heart is the left ventricle. Blood and pressure build up, the left atrium swells, and fluid leaks into the lungs when the mitral valve malfunctions.

For the most part, Mitral Valve Stenosis develops as a result of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection, which causes rheumatic fever and, in turn, the disease. The mitral valve might get narrowed as a result of this illness scarring it. Mitral stenosis may also be caused by ageing, radiation to the chest, congenital cardiac problems, and autoimmune illnesses like lupus. These other reasons include mitral stenosis.

Signs and Symptoms of Mitral Stenosis

The stenosis of the mitral valve worsens gradually over time. For years, you may not notice any signs. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to:

When you’ve been exercising or lying down, you may find it difficult to breathe.
Increased physical activity may cause you to get fatigued.
When blood flow is disrupted, the ankles and feet might swell.
A fast, fluttering heartbeat is a common symptom of heart palpitations.
During physical exertion, you may feel lightheaded or even faint.
If you’re coughing up blood, call your doctor right away.
Pain in the lungs and chest

What is the treatment for Mitral Stenosis?

Mitral valve stenosis treatment varies widely depending on the severity of your symptoms and the problem itself. A minor mitral valve stenosis and no symptoms mean that you may be able to go without therapy.

Medications and drugs

Your doctor may prescribe drugs if your mitral valve stenosis is giving you any discomfort. Medications aren’t going to heal your mitral valve condition, but they may help you manage your symptoms. Medicines that your physician may prescribe include:

To lessen the chance of blood clots, patients take anticoagulants (also known as blood thinners).
diuretics to promote urine production in order to decrease fluid accumulation
drugs to cure irregular heartbeats
Slowing your heart rate with beta-blockers

Valvuloplasty

A mitral balloon valvuloplasty may be recommended by your medical professional. In cases when you need more than medicine but your mitral valve isn’t damaged enough to warrant cardiac surgery, this method offers an alternative. A catheter with a balloon connected to it is threaded into a vein and inserted into your heart during this treatment by your doctor. In order to widen the mitral valve, the doctor uses the balloon. You may have to repeat this step in certain circumstances.

Surgery

Sometimes, surgery is required. It’s possible that your doctor will have to physically replace your mitral valve in order for it to work correctly again. You may need to have your mitral valve replaced if that is not feasible. In certain cases, a human corpse may be used to make your new valve; this is known as a bioregenerative procedure. Alternatively, your valve may be mechanical, in which case it is a manufactured device.

Conclusion

Innovative catheter-based methods and minimally invasive surgery are used by surgeons and cardiologists at Dr. Raghu’s clinic to repair and replace heart valves.