Mitral valve is a small swing flap located between the left atrium and left ventricle. It is designed to allow blood to flow into the left ventricle but blocked from flowing back into the left atrium.
In mitral valve prolapse (MVP), also called Barlow’s syndrome, the flaps of the mitral valve do not close correctly. Instead, the valve bulges into the atrium. This can lead to mitral valve regurgitation, which means that blood leaks back into the left atrium through the prolapsed valve.
WHAT ARE RISK FACTORS FOR MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE?
Experts do not know exactly what causes MVP. Most people are born with abnormalities that cause the condition. These may include mitral valve flaps that are too big, thick, or stretchy.
MVP often runs in families, so you may be more likely to have it if your parents or other relatives.
Certain conditions may lead to mitral valve prolapse. These include:
- Scoliosis
- Adult polycystic kidney disease
- Connective tissue problems such as Marfan’s syndrome
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE?
Most people with MVP are unaware that they have heart problems.
When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Cough
- Dizziness
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Shortness of breath, especially during exercise or when lying flat
- You might also develop migraines (recurring headaches that can cause nausea) or experience pain in your chest.
HOW IS MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE DIAGNOSED?
In most cases, your doctor will initially detect MVP when using a stethoscope to listen to your heart. If you have the condition, your heart may make a clicking sound when it beats. If you have a noticeable difference in heartbeat, your doctor may order an X-ray and/or an echocardiogram. Both of these tests provide images of your heart, but the echocardiogram shows more structural details. Your doctor can check the images to see if you have MVP or regurgitation. Depending on your condition, your doctor may also perform a cardiac catheterization.
Your doctor might ask you to exercise on a treadmill or perform some other physical activity to see how your heart responds. This is called a stress test.
HOW IS MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE TREATED?
In most cases, you won’t need any treatment for mitral valve prolapse. However, if you have noticeable symptoms, your doctor might choose to treat your condition. Possible medications include:
- Aspirin: To reduce the risk of blood clots
- Beta Blockers: To prevent your heart from beating irregularly and to improve blood flow
- Blood Thinners: To prevent blood clots
- Diuretics: To remove excess fluid from the lungs
- Vasodilators: To widen the blood vessels and improve blood flow
If your condition is more serious, such as if you have severe regurgitation or impaired heart function, you may need surgery. There are two basic types of surgery for this issue: valve replacement and valve repair. Your doctor will generally opt to repair the valve if possible. If repairing the valve isn’t possible, it may be replaced with either a man-made mechanical valve or a biological valve harvested from a cow or pig or created from human tissue.
WHY KIMS?
KIMS, one of the best places to get a heart disease treatment, offers comprehensive and detailed treatment and diagnosis for MVP. Our cardiac surgeons in Hyderabad, India, including the very eminent Dr. B. Bhaskara Rao, are experts in the latest minimally invasive options for treating heart valve disease. Our outstanding, dedicated team of cardiothoracic surgeons in Hyderabad and highly-trained staff work together to provide patients the most viable options for mitral valve surgery and mitral valve replacement.