Mitral valve stenosis — or mitral stenosis — is a narrowing of the heart’s mitral valve. This abnormal valve doesn’t open properly, blocking blood flow into the main pumping chamber of your heart (left ventricle). Shortness of breath and fatigue are some of the most common symptoms connected to mitral valve.
Causes of mitral valve stenosis may include: Rheumatic fever, Calcium deposits, Untreated strep infections and other causes.
Your doctor will investigate your medical history and give you a physical examination that includes listening to your heart through a stethoscope. Mitral valve stenosis causes an abnormal heart sound, called a heart murmur. You may be referred to a doctor trained in heart conditions (cardiologist) for tests such as: Electrocardiogram (ECG), Chest X-ray, Transesophageal echocardiogram, Cardiac catheterization, Transthoracic echocardiogram.
You may need valve repair or replacement to treat mitral valve stenosis. Surgical options available include On-X Prosthetic Heart Valve.
Your surgeon removes the narrowed valve and replaces it with a mechanical or tissue valve. In many cases, diseased mitral valves can be repaired rather than replaced. In mitral valve repair, most of the original valve tissue is spared. The structure surrounding the valve is surgically supported and repaired n a way that fixes the shape and function of the valve. Only a heart surgeon can determine if a mitral valve is in good enough condition that it can be repaired rather than replaced.
Ask Your Doctor about On-X Prosthetic Heart Valve!