Mitral valve disease is a cardiological disease that occurs when blood flow is disrupted due to structural abnormality or loss of function of the mitral valve located between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart. The development of narrowing or insufficiency in the valve reduces the pumping efficiency of the heart and directly affects the circulatory system.<\/p>\n
The types of mitral valve disease are mainly classified as mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation. In mitral stenosis, the valve opening narrows and the passage of blood into the left ventricle becomes difficult. In mitral regurgitation, the valve cannot close completely and some of the blood leaks back into the left atrium, causing volume overload in the heart.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of mitral valve disease usually develop depending on the degree of disease progression. Shortness of breath, easy fatigue, palpitations, chest discomfort, and decreased exercise capacity are common clinical findings. In advanced stages, fluid accumulation in the lungs and rhythm disorders may occur.<\/p>\n
Treatment of mitral valve disease is planned according to the type and severity of the disease and the patient\u2019s general health condition. While medication therapy may provide symptom control, surgical interventions such as mitral valve repair or valve replacement may be applied in advanced cases, and preservation of heart function is aimed.<\/p>\n
| What You Need to Know<\/td>\n | Information<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| What Is Mitral Valve Disease<\/td>\n | These are structural or functional disorders of the mitral valve located between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart. It prevents proper blood flow and reduces the efficiency of the heart.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Main Types<\/td>\n | 1. Mitral Regurgitation: Blood leaking back into the left atrium as a result of the valve not closing completely.2. Mitral Stenosis: Insufficient blood passage from the left atrium to the ventricle due to narrowing of the valve.3. Mitral Valve Prolapse: The valve leaflets balloon and sag toward the left atrium.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Causes<\/td>\n | Rheumatic fever, degenerative valve diseases, congenital anomalies, infective endocarditis, aging, structural disorders that develop after a heart attack.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Common Symptoms<\/td>\n | Shortness of breath (especially with exertion), palpitations, weakness, swelling in the legs, chest pain, feeling of fainting, cough (especially at night), rhythm disorders.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Diagnostic Methods<\/td>\n | Physical examination (hearing a murmur), ECG, chest X-ray, transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac MRI, cardiac catheterization.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Treatment Options<\/td>\n | – Medical Treatment: Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, antiarrhythmic drugs.- Interventional Methods: Balloon valvuloplasty (for stenosis).- Surgical Intervention: Valve repair or valve replacement (with bioprosthetic or mechanical valve).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Advantages of Surgical Repair<\/td>\n | Preservation of the patient\u2019s own valve, lower risk of infection, reduced need for blood thinners. However, it may not be possible in every patient.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Preference in Valve Replacement<\/td>\n | – Mechanical Valve: Long-lasting, but lifelong use of blood thinners is required.- Biological Valve: Shorter-lasting, but generally does not require blood thinner use.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Complications<\/td>\n | Heart failure, rhythm disorders (especially atrial fibrillation), thromboembolism, stroke, pulmonary hypertension, infective endocarditis.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Follow-up and Lifestyle<\/td>\n | Regular cardiology check-ups, salt restriction, fluid balance monitoring, protection from infections, appropriate exercise plan, regular use of medications.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n |