Your heart is a carefully-tuned organ that pumps blood to your lungs before circulating it to the rest of your body. Blood flows through it from the right side to the left side. It moves from your right atrium (upper chamber) into the right ventricle (lower chamber), and into your lungs. Blood then returns from the lungs and flows into the left atrium. It moves into the left ventricle, and is eventually pumped out of your heart and into the aorta, which carries it to your organs.

Sitting between your left atrium and ventricle is the mitral valve (MV). It regulates the flow of blood between the two chambers. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, the MV can stop working properly. This can cause complications that may become dangerous over time.

Below, we’ll describe the disorders that affect the MV and impair its ability to regulate blood flow. We’ll also provide a glimpse at mitral valve repair surgery as well as other methods for correcting problems.

Regurgitation

This is, by far, the most common disorder that affects the MV. Regurgitation occurs when the valve fails to close completely. Its two leaflets (or, flaps) do not seal the opening effectively between the left atrium and left ventricle. This causes a back flow problem.

Blood moves from the atrium to the ventricle when the first chamber contracts. The leaflets open as the atrium shrinks, allowing blood to flow into the lower chamber. Normally, the flaps close once the ventricle has completely filled with blood. That way, when the ventricle contracts, blood is prevented from flowing back into the atrium.

With regurgitation, the mitral valve remains partly open when the lower chamber contracts. While most of the blood is propelled outward into the aorta, a portion is also pushed into the atrium. This causes blood to back up into the lungs. Pressure in the lungs increases and can eventually lead to heart failure.

Stenosis

Stenosis is rare, but is occasionally present in patients who suffered rheumatic fever as a child. The patient’s immune system reacted to the fever by attacking the mitral valve’s leaflets. This caused the leaflets to stiffen and thicken. In this state, they are unable to open as widely as they should.

Because the opening is restricted, blood cannot flow as well from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Instead, some of the blood remains within the atrium. This cause blood to accumulate in the chamber, and blood pressure in the lungs to rise. Arrhythmias (e.g. atrial fibrillation), blood clots, and even heart failure can result.

Mitral Valve Repair To Correct Disorders

The goal of mitral valve repair is to correct regurgitant or stenotic leaflets. This is usually accomplished with surgery. In the case of regurgitation, the surgeon can perform valvuloplasty to alter the diseased leaflet. An annulus is often placed around the perimeter of the valve to provide support. If there is prolapse – a type of regurgitation where one or both leaflets flop backward into the atrium – a triangular resection or chordal transfer is done.

With stenosis, a surgeon can perform valvuloplasty to separate the leaflets and widen the restricted opening. Another approach is a catheter technique called balloon valvotomy. A catheter with a small balloon on the tip is threaded to the MV and inflated to spread the leaflets.

Occasionally, the mitral valve is so diseased that it cannot be surgically repaired. In such cases, your doctor may recommend a replacement valve. If a biological replacement is used, you’ll be able to avoid having to take blood thinners for the remainder of your life. If a mechanical replacement is installed, perpetual use of blood thinners is necessary to prevent clotting.

If you suffer from regurgitation or stenosis in your mitral valve, ask your doctor whether mitral valve repair surgery is an option. He or she can determine whether you are a suitable candidate.

Author Bio: Find the right doctor for mitral valve surgery. Early diagnosis can lead to successful results. Visit the surgery specialist

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: balloon mitral valvotomy, mitral, health facts, cardio vascular health, surgeries