Mitral stenosis is a narrowing of the mitral valve in the heart. This valve is located between the atrium (upper chamber) and the ventricle (lower pumping chamber) of the left side of the heart. Blood must flow from the atrium, through the mitral valve, and into the ventricle before being pumped out into the rest of the body. Mitral stenosis results in inadequate blood flow between the two left chambers, and therefore too little blood and oxygen being pumped throughout the body.
The most common cause of mitral stenosis is
rheumatic fever
, which scars the mitral valve. A less common cause is a congenital defect, usually part of a complex of multiple heart defects present at birth. Very rare causes include blood clots, tumors, or other growths that block blood flow through the mitral valve.
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. The main risk factor for mitral stenosis is rheumatic fever. Other risk factors include:
Difficulty breathing, especially during exercise and when lying flat
Awakening short of breath in the middle of the night
Fatigue
Chest pain, such as squeezing, pressure, or tightness (rare)
Sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
Cough with exertion
Coughing up blood
Swelling of the legs or feet
Frequent respiratory infections
Dizziness, fainting
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. The doctor may be alerted to mitral stenosis by the following:
Abnormal chest sounds, such as a
heart murmur
or snap
Distention of the jugular vein in the neck
Signs of fluid in the lungs
Tests may include:
Chest x-ray
—a test that uses radiation to take pictures of structures inside the chest
Electrocardiogram
(ECG, EKG)—a test that records the heart's activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle
Echocardiogram
—a test that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to examine the size, shape, and motion of the heart; in this test, the sound waves are passed through a transducer that is placed onto your chest.
Transesophageal echocardiogram—uses the same ultrasound techniques to create an image of your heart, but gives a more detailed image. In this test, the transducer is passed down your esophagus (the tube in your throat that runs from your mouth into your stomach), to allow a better examination of the mitral valve.
Cardiac catheterization
—an x-ray of the heart's circulation that is done after injection of a contrast dye
Holter monitor—a portable EKG device that you wear for 24 or more hours, to detect heart rhythm abnormalities that often accompany mitral stenosis
Treatment
If you have mitral stenosis, you will need antibiotics when you have certain infections (eg, beta-strep infections, usually of the throat) or are having procedures (such as dental work) that may put you at risk for heart infections. This will help prevent further damage to your heart.
If you have mild mitral stenosis, your condition will need to be monitored, but may not need immediate treatment for symptoms associated with mitral stenosis. When symptoms become more severe, you may need to limit exertion and avoid high-salt foods. In addition, treatments may include:
Medications
Drugs may be prescribed to treat specific symptoms associated with mitral stenosis. These medications include:
Drugs that lower the heart rate and improve the heart's function (beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers)
Water pills (diuretics)
Blood-thinning drugs—Mitral stenosis can lead to blood clots that can go to the brain, causing
strokes
, or to the limbs, causing severe problems.
Mitral valvulotomy—A surgical cut or enlargement is made in the stenotic mitral valve to relieve the obstruction.
Balloon valvuloplasty—A balloon device is inserted into the blocked mitral valve to open or enlarge the valve. This may provide temporary relief of symptoms. However, the valve may become blocked again.
Mitral valve replacement—This is the surgical replacement of a defective heart valve. This surgery is usually delayed until symptoms are severe or the patient can no longer be helped by other procedures.
Prevention
Most cases of mitral stenosis can be prevented by preventing rheumatic fever:
Treat
strep throat
infections promptly to avoid rheumatic fever, which can cause scarring of the heart valve; always finish all of the antibiotics prescribed, even if you feel better before taking all of the doses.
In addition, there are several things you can do to try to avoid some of the complications of mitral stenosis:
Get regular medical care, including checkups and periodic electrocardiograms.
Take antibiotics before any dental cleaning, dental work, or other invasive procedures. This will help prevent infection of the heart valve.
If your valve problem was caused by rheumatic fever, talk to your doctor about antibiotic treatment to prevent future episodes of rheumatic fever.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and drugs (like decongestants) that speed up your heart rate; these will only worsen your symptoms.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Follow your doctor’s recommendations for exercise.
Ask your doctor about cutting back on salt; this may help decrease the pressure in your heart and improve your symptoms.
Monitor your blood pressure, and inform your healthcare provider if you seem to be developing
high blood pressure
, which can worsen your symptoms.
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association http://www.americanheart.org
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cardiovascular Society http://www.ccs.ca/home/index_e.aspx
Canadian Family Physician http://www.cfpc.ca/cfp/
References:
Fauci AS, Braunwald E, Isselbacher KJ, et al.
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine
. 14th ed. New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2000.
Mitral stenosis. DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.dynamicmedical.com/dynamed.nsf
. Accessed October 13, 2005.
Shipton B
and Wahba H. Valvular heart disease: review and update.
Am Fam Physician
. 20011;63:2201.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
