Mitral Valve Regurgitation, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Treatment And Related Conditions

Mitral regurgitation is a medical condition in which the heart valve that separates the upper and lower chambers on the left side of the heart does not close properly. Regurgitation means leaking from a valve that does not close all the way. Mitral regurgitation is the most common type of heart valve disorder. As the valve does not close properly, some blood is pumped back into the left atrium when the left ventricle contractsTherefore the wall of the atrium may become thicker (hypertrophy) and the atrium may enlargeThis leads to a decrease in blood flow to the rest of the body.
As a result, the heart may try to pump harder. Causes are:1. Coronary heart disease and high blood pressure2. Infection of the heart valves3. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP4. Use of fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine for 4 or more months. When symptoms occur, they often develop gradually, and may include:1. Cough2. Fatigue, exhaustion, and light-headedness3. Rapid breathing4. Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations) or a rapid heartbeatDiagnosis is by:Extra heart sound (S4 gallop)Apical soft pan-systolic murmurEchocardiogram shows the mitral regurgitationECG and CXR show a normal heart if mild but left ventricle enlargement in later MR.
Patients with high blood pressure or a weakened heart muscle may be given medications to reduce the strain on the heart and help improve the condition.1. Beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors2. Blood thinners (anticoagulants) to help prevent blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation3. Drugs that help control uneven or abnormal heartbeats4. Water pills (diuretics) to remove excess fluid in the lungs5.
A low-sodium diet may be helpfulSurgical repair or replacement of the valve is recommended if:1. The heart function is poor, 2. The heart becomes larger (dilated)3. Symptoms become more severeTABLE OF CONTENTIntroductionChapter 1 Mitral RegurgitationChapter 2 More about Mitral RegurgitationChapter 3 Treatment of Mitral RegurgitationChapter 4 Heart Valve DiseasesChapter 5 Mitral StenosisChapter 6 Aortic RegurgitationChapter 7 Tricuspid RegurgitationChapter 8 Pulmonary RegurgitationEpilogueMitral Valve regurgitation is a rare congenital valve diseaseWhere the mitral valves do not close tightly and may releaseBlood may leak from the ventricle back into the atriumThis may cause strain on the left atrial myocardiumMitral regurgitation is the most common type of heart valve disorderBlood flows backward into the atrium from the lower chamberTherefore the wall of the atrium may become thickerAs a result the heart may need to pump harderThe mitral valve makes an apical systolic murmur, a whooshing soundWhen the valve leaks back into the left atrium a small amountThe stretched flaps can make an extra sound (S4) as they shut.
The echocardiogram show the valve movement in the heartTreatment is to reduce the heart's workload by medicationsBeta blockers may be used to treat chest discomfort or palpitationsBlood-thinning medicines reduce the risk of blood clots formingSurgery is needed if the abnormal mitral valve allows the blood backflowing-An original poem by Kenneth Kee