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Diseases of the Mitral Valve

Cardiovascular Disease

Diseases of Aortic Valve

Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral Valve

The mitral valve regulates the flow of blood from the left atrium (upper–left chamber) to the left ventricle (lower–left chamber). Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a defect in the closing of the mitral valve that causes a backflow of blood into the left atrium. MVP is often called click–murmur syndrome because the incomplete closure of the valve creates a clicking sound followed by a murmur, which indicates mild–to–moderate MVP.

Causes
MVP is the most frequently diagnosed form of valve disease. It also runs in families. Some forms of MVP have been associated with Marfan syndrome, a degenerative connective tissue condition characterized by long bones and hyperflexible joints. Most persons with MVP are small–framed or those who have minor chest wall deformities, scoliosis, or other skeletal disorders.

Symptoms
Most persons with MVP do not have symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include.

Shortness of breath when lying flat.
Chest pain.
Extreme fatigue.
Heart palpitations.
Coughing.
Difficulty breathing after exercise.
Tachycardia or rapid heartbeat (rare).

Most of the time, MVP is not a serious condition, although some patients report palpitations or sharp chest pain. Patients with MVP should consult a physician about taking antibiotics before dental procedures or general surgery to prevent infection of the valve, especially if patients have mitral regurgitation or thickened valve leaflets.

Risks
Occasionally, MVP leads to a condition known as mitral regurgitation or insufficiency. This means a large amount of blood leaks backwards through the defective valve instead of continuing in the normal direction. Mitral regurgitation can result in the thickening or enlargement of the heart wall, caused by the extra pumping the heart must do to compensate for the backflow of blood. Mitral regurgitation sometimes causes fatigue or shortness of breath. The condition can usually be treated with medication, but a few people require surgery to repair or replace the defective valve.

Treatment
Most of the time, MVP is not a serious condition, even though some patients report palpitations or sharp chest pains. Most patients require no treatment, except for antibiotics to prevent infections that can occur after surgery or dental procedures. MVP is not a serious condition and should not prevent a person from living a productive life, but mitral valve prolapse should be monitored regularly by a physician.

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