Mitral Valve Regurgitation
Did you know that mitral valve regurgitation or mitral valve insufficiency is the most common heart valve disease worldwide, affecting around 2-3% of the total population? Moreover, the prevalence of this disease increases with age. If left untreated, it can lead to heart failure and death.
Mitral valve regurgitation, also known as mitral valve insufficiency or leaking heart valve disease, is a cardiovascular disease characterized by a backward flow of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium. It happens when the left chambers of the heart don’t close properly, causing a backward flow of blood
What Is a Mitral Valve?
Let’s start from the basics to understand deeply about mitral valve regurgitation. Our heart has four chambers, two upper and two lower chambers.
The lower chambers pump blood out of the heart, while the upper chambers receive the incoming blood.
Like chambers, the heart has four valves. The heart valves act as a gate at the chamber openings. It keeps the blood flowing in the right direction. As the heart pumps blood, the valves open and close to prevent blood from flowing in the wrong direction. The four valves in the heart are:
- Aortic valve
- Mitral valve
- Pulmonary valve
- Tricuspid valve
The mitral heart valve is present between the upper left heart chamber and the lower left heart chamber.
What Is Mitral Valve Regurgitation?
Regurgitation is defined as the leakage of blood from a valve. Mitral valve regurgitation is a heart valve disease in which the mitral valve doesn’t close properly as the blood flows in the heart. This disrupts the direction of blood flow and leads to leakage of blood at the back of the heart.
Causes Of Mitral Valve Regurgitation
The possible causes of mitral regurgitation include:
- Coronary heart disease – Blockage of the coronary arteries, an artery that supplies blood to the heart.
- High blood pressure
- Infection of the heart valves
- Congenital birth defects. (Heart diseases present by birth).
- Cardiomyopathy (Thickening of the muscles of the heart).
- Radiation therapy.
- Rheumatic fever. (An autoimmune inflammatory disease).
Mitral Valve Regurgitation Symptoms
The mitral regurgitation symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Excessive urination at night
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Palpitations or rapid heartbeat
- Cough
- Occasional chest pain
Mitral regurgitation complications may include high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, frequently irregular and rapid heart rate, and pulmonary hypertension or high blood pressure in the lungs.
Mitral Valve Regurgitation Life Expectancy
The mitral valve regurgitation life expectancy can vary depending on age factors, health conditions, disease severity, and whether surgery can be performed.
A study estimated that surgery could help restore a person’s life expectancy and quality of life with asymptomatic mitral valve regurgitation. The 10-year survival rate in patients with an average age of 56 was 91.5%.
Mitral Valve Regurgitation Treatment
The mitral valve regurgitation treatment depends on the symptoms and severity of the disease and the patient’s condition. For mild mitral regurgitation, continuous monitoring may be required, and no treatments may be necessary.
If the patient is suffering from high blood pressure, it must be controlled through medications and low-sodium diets to prevent the worsening of the disease.
There are no medications that can correct mitral valve regurgitation or leakage. But certain medications are given to prevent the worsening of the disorder, like anticoagulant medications to help prevent the formation of blood clots in the heart or diuretics to prevent fluid buildup.
In severe leaking heart valve disease, surgical procedures like valve repair, mitral valve surgery, or mitral valve replacement may be done.
MitraClip Therapy
Another minimally invasive and new treatment modality for treating mitral valve regurgitation is MitraClip therapy. It is indicated for patients who cannot receive mitral valve surgery or traditional open surgery.
The therapy involves attaching a clip to your mitral valve using a thin, flexible tube known as a catheter. This clip helps the mitral valve to close completely and stops the backward flow (leaking) of blood.
How 'The Valve Clinic' Can Help You With Mitral Valve Regurgitation Disease?
‘The Valve Clinic’ is one of the best heart medical institutions in India, comprising a team of cardiovascular specialists who deliver individualized care and heart valve treatment procedures to patients suffering from valve diseases.
We provide comprehensive cardiovascular care with our leading team of experts and trained professionals, including a radiologist, cardiologist, surgeon, and a nurse specializing in the field of heart valve surgery and care.
At The Valve Clinic, cardiovascular specialists use the most advanced imaging technology and deliver specialized care according to the patient’s needs. Book a consultation appointment today to receive a detailed check-up with our heart specialists.