Mitral Valve Stenosis
Mitral valve stenosis, a form of valvular heart disease, is characterized by the narrowing of the opening in the mitral valve, which lies between the left atrium and the left ventricle in the heart. This narrowing can reduce the amount of blood the heart can pump, leaving you tired and often short of breath.
At SSM Health, our heart and vascular care team performs a complete evaluation of all of our patients to determine the best option for treatment. In most cases, the primary treatment for mitral valve stenosis is repair or replacement of the faulty valve.
Causes of Mitral Valve Stenosis
There are three main causes of mitral valve stenosis:
- Rheumatic fever: Rheumatic fever, a complication of strep throat or scarlet fever, is the most common cause of mitral valve stenosis. As a result of rheumatic fever, the mitral valve can thicken, reducing blood flow through the heart. Symptoms may not be seen for many years after the fever.
- Calcium deposits
- Congenital heart defect: On rare occasions, babies are born with a defective valve, which may cause problems over time.
Signs & Symptoms of Mitral Valve Stenosis
The symptoms of mitral valve stenosis depend on the stage of the disease. In the early stages, the symptoms are similar to those of heart failure and may include:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath with exertion or when lying flat
- Shortness of breath and coughing during the night
- Swollen ankles and feet
- Heart palpitations (rapid, fluttering heartbeat)
- Heavy coughing which may produce blood-stained mucus
Make an appointment with an SSM Health heart and vascular specialist to discuss your symptoms if you notice the signs of mitral valve stenosis. If left untreated, the condition can strain your heart and lead to other, more serious conditions, such as blood clots, heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension.
Treatment of Mitral Valve Stenosis
The primary treatment for mitral valve stenosis is mitral valve repair or replacement surgery. When possible, it is preferred to repair a damaged mitral valve. At SSM Health, this can be done using minimally invasive techniques.
Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital
SLUCare Specialists at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital perform minimally invasive heart surgery through small incisions in the chest, as an alternative to open-heart surgery. When the valve becomes impaired, and a surgical solution is needed, Mitral valve repair access the valve through a small two-inch incision in the chest to repair the valve. This method may also result in less pain and a quicker recovery for many people.
The mitral valve is one of the four heart valves and it controls the entrance of oxygenated blood from the lungs into the heart. When the valve becomes impaired, and a surgical solution is needed, mitral valve repair accesses the valve through a small two-inch incision in the chest to repair the valve.
Mitral valve repair is being used to treat a variety of conditions including rheumatic heart disease, myxomatous degeneration and valve infections that may disrupt valve function. Mitral stenosis results from limitation of valve leaflet excursion and mitral insufficiency will result if valve leaflets fail to close together. Mitral valve repair techniques can repair about 90% of leaking mitral valves.
A twelve-inch incision in the front of the chest is still the most commonly used approach for mitral valve surgery (also known as open heart surgery.) In a minimally invasive mitral valve repair, a two-inch incision is made on the right of the chest. Depending on the patient, these surgeries can take between two to four hours.
Patients between 30 and 50 years old typically have the best results from mitral valve repair. A mitral valve replacement in this age range would put the patient at risk of blood-thinner related complications and subject the patient to the possible complications of an artificial valve for many years to come. Since the risks associated with mitral valve replacement complications and complications of blood thinners develop as the number of years patient lives with the artificial valve, younger patients have an increased potential to develop these risks due to the longer expected life span.
Generally mitral valve repair success rates at discharge are approximately 93%, with a freedom from reoperation of 94% at 10 years. Similar results were found for the patients undergoing mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral valve disease. Additional benefits:
- Less use of Coumadin (blood thinner)
- Better preserved heart functions
- Less pain
- Shorter hospital stays
- Faster recovery
- Reduced risk of infection
- Smaller incision and less scarring
As with every surgical procedure, minimally invasive mitral valve repair does have its risks. Make an appointment with our heart and vascular team to learn more this procedure and whether it might be right for you. We’re here to answer questions, ease your concerns and help you decide about treatment.
Minimally Invasive Valve Replacement
During a valve replacement, a surgeon removes the restricted mitral valve and replaces it with either a mechanical or tissue valve. Mechanical valves are made from metal and are very durable. However, they do carry the risk of blood clots forming nearby. Patients who opt for mechanical valves are put on anticoagulant medication, for life, to prevent this from happening. Tissue valves are sourced from organ donors or compatible animals.
We understand that facing heart surgery may be overwhelming. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, or working through a long-term condition, trust the heart and vascular experts at SSM Health. Our expert cardiovascular surgeon will evaluate the best options for treatment, so you can move forward with confidence.