Mitral stenosis is a disorder in which the mitral valve does not fully open. This restricts the flow of blood.
Mitral valve obstruction; Heart mitral stenosis; Valvular mitral stenosis
Blood that flows between different chambers of your heart must flow through a valve. The valve between the 2 chambers on the left side of your heart is called the mitral valve. It opens up enough so that blood can flow from the upper chamber of your heart (left atria) to the lower chamber (left ventricle). It then closes, keeping blood from flowing backwards.
Mitral stenosis means that the valve cannot open enough. As a result, less blood flows to the body. The upper heart chamber swells as pressure builds up. Blood and fluid may then collect in the lung tissue (pulmonary edema), making it hard to breathe.
In adults, mitral stenosis occurs most often in people who have had rheumatic fever. This is a disease that can develop after an illness with strep throat that was not properly treated.
The valve problems develop 5 to 10 years or more after having rheumatic fever. Symptoms may not show up for even longer. Rheumatic fever is becoming rare in the United States because strep infections are most often treated. This has made mitral stenosis less common.
Rarely, other factors can cause mitral stenosis in adults. These include:
Children may be born with mitral stenosis (congenital) or other birth defects involving the heart that cause mitral stenosis. Often, there are other heart defects present along with the mitral stenosis.
Mitral stenosis may run in families.
Adults may have no symptoms. However, symptoms may appear or get worse with exercise or other activity that raises the heart rate. Symptoms will most often develop between ages 20 and 50.
Symptoms may begin with an episode of atrial fibrillation (especially if it causes a fast heart rate). Symptoms may also be triggered by pregnancy or other stress on the body, such as infection in the heart or lungs, or other heart disorders.
Symptoms may include:
In infants and children, symptoms may be present from birth (congenital). It will almost always develop within the first 2 years of life. Symptoms include:
Treatment depends on the symptoms and condition of the heart and lungs. People with mild symptoms or none at all may not need treatment. For severe symptoms, you may need to go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment.
Medicines which can be used to treat symptoms of heart failure, high blood pressure and to slow or regulate heart rhythms include:
Anticoagulants (blood thinners) are used to prevent blood clots from forming and traveling to other parts of the body.
Antibiotics may be used in some cases of mitral stenosis. People who have had rheumatic fever may need long-term preventive treatment with an antibiotic such as penicillin.
In the past, most people with heart valve problems were given antibiotics before dental work or invasive procedures, such as colonoscopy. The antibiotics were given to prevent an infection of the damaged heart valve. However, antibiotics are now used much less often. Ask your doctor whether you need to use antibiotics.
Some people may need heart surgery or procedures to treat mitral stenosis. These include:
Children often need surgery to either repair or replace the mitral valve.
Bernard Iung practices in Paris, France. Iung is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Mitral Stenosis. He is also highly rated in 18 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Mitral Stenosis, Endocarditis, Infective Endocarditis, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), and Aortic Valve Replacement.
Timothy Tan is a Family Medicine expert in Sydney, Australia. Tan is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Mitral Stenosis. He is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Mitral Stenosis, Tricuspid Regurgitation, Stroke, Aortic Valve Replacement, and Heart Valve Repair.
Eric Brochet practices in Paris, France. Brochet is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Mitral Stenosis. He is also highly rated in 11 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Mitral Stenosis, Tricuspid Regurgitation, Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), and Aortic Valve Replacement.
The outcome varies. The disorder may be mild, without symptoms, or may be more severe and become disabling over time. Complications may be severe or life threatening. In most cases, mitral stenosis can be controlled with treatment and improved with valvuloplasty or surgery.
Complications may include:
Contact your provider if:
Follow your provider's recommendations for treating conditions that can cause valve disease. Treat strep infections promptly to prevent rheumatic fever. Tell your provider if you have a family history of congenital heart diseases.
Other than treating strep infections, mitral stenosis itself often cannot be prevented, but complications from the condition can be prevented. Tell your provider about your heart valve disease before you receive any medical treatment. Discuss whether you need preventive antibiotics.
Summary: Collect real-world data on acute and long-term safety and performance of the MITRIS RESILIA Mitral Valve, Model 11400M, in subjects requiring replacement of their native or prosthetic mitral valve with or without concomitant procedures.
Summary: In recent years increasing number of mitral bioprosthesis implantation, especially in elderly population, is observed. Bioprosthetic valves are associated with a lower risk of thrombotic and bleeding adverse events compared with mechanical prostheses, but their use is limited due to their durability. After years numerous patients may develop bioprosthesis failure, requiring valve reintervention. S...
Published Date: January 09, 2022
Published By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Writing Committee Members, Otto CM, Nishimura RA, Bonow RO, et al. 2020 ACC/AHA guideline for the management of patients with valvular heart disease: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2021;162(2):e183-e353. PMID: 33972115 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33972115/.