Mitral Valve: Stenosis, Regurgitation and Both

This chapter deals with the Mitral Valve and the flow across it in normal and in pathological conditions. Mitral Valve is very important because it controls the inflow into the Left Ventricle, which is the most important chamber of the Heart. Any pathology that involves the Mitral Valve alters the amount of blood the Left Ventricle receives. If the Mitral Orifice becomes narrow (Mitral Stenosis), the inflow into the Left Ventricle decreases, which may decrease the outflow from the Left Ventricle namely the Stroke Volume and Cardiac Output. Also, if the Mitral Valve starts leaking backwards during Left Ventricular Systole or Diastole, the blood gets shunted between Left Ventricle and Left Atrium resulting in Volume Overload (Increased Preload) of the Left Ventricle. The effect of these pathologies on the Heart hemodynamically is discussed in detail in this chapter. Pathology that causes both Mitral Stenosis and Regurgitation at the same time is described. The role Echocardiogram (2D, M Mode and Doppler-Spectral and Color) plays in diagnosing these changes is discussed. The alteration in measurements due to these pathologies are analyzed as well. The symptoms and signs accompanying these pathologies are elaborated. Treatment options are mentioned.