Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Symptoms | Treatments

What is

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

What is - Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Mitral valve regurgitation is a condition where there is a backflow of blood due to the mitral valve not closing properly. Consequently, blood is unable to move through the patient’s heart and to the rest of the body as efficiently. This often results in the patient feeling fatigued or short of breath. Mitral valve regurgitation is often a result from mitral valve prolapse.

Symptoms of Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Many patients with serious mitral valve regurgitation may not experience symptoms. Symptoms are dependent on the severity of the condition, and include:

Shortness of breath
Palpitations
Swelling of ankles, feet, abdomen (oedema)
Chest discomfort
Heart murmur (blood flowing turbulently through the heart)
Increasing fatigue, typically during times of increased activity

Diagnosis of Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Mitral valve regurgitation is diagnosed with the help of a physical exam, and diagnostic tests such as an echocardiogram, cardiac catheterisation/coronary angiogram and electrocardiogram (ECG). Your doctor will listen to your heart with a stethoscope for unusual sounds or a heart murmur before recommending these tests.

Treatment for Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Treatment for mitral valve regurgitation depends on the severity of your condition. The treatment can include reducing the symptoms for mitral valve regurgitation. If different heart conditions have caused mitral valve regurgitation, treatment will be based on that condition. Treatment can be done through heart valve repair or replacement.

Heart valve repair or replacement - Surgery can be minimal or extensive depending on the valve problem. This can be done through conventional surgery or with a minimally invasive procedure, such as Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair - MitraClip and PASCAL.