Mitral valve stenosis (MS) occurs when the leaflets of the mitral valve become thick and obstruct blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle of the heart. MS mostly results from rheumatic fever. MS may stay silent for 15 to 40 years after rheumatic fever until the onset of heart symptoms.
The area of the opening of a normal mitral valve is 4 to 6 cm2. Shortness of breath during physical activities usually occurs when the valve area is at least less than 2.5 cm2. Shortness of breath at rest occurs when the valve area is less than 1.5 cm2.
MS may cause several major complications as follows:
The area of the opening of a normal mitral valve is 4 to 6 cm2. Shortness of breath during physical activities usually occurs when the valve area is at least less than 2.5 cm2. Shortness of breath at rest occurs when the valve area is less than 1.5 cm2.
MS may cause several major complications as follows:
- Atrial fibrillation: an irregularly irregular heart rhythm in about 45 percent of cases
- Thromboembolism: blood clots thrown into other organs such as brain and lungs
- Bacterial endocarditis: an infection of mitral valve by bacteria traveling from other organs
Pregnant women with MS may have more severe symptoms and complications, especially heart failure.
Doctors may offer to treat MS with medications or surgical intervention when indicated. The 2006 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and the 2007 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines concluded that main indications for intervention were moderate-to-severe MS and the presence of symptoms. Surgical options are percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy (PMBV), commissurotomy, and mitral valve replacement.
The 2007 AHA guidelines did not recommend antibiotic prophylaxis for patients with MS before dental or invasive procedures.
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