5 Conditions that Require Mitral Valve Replacement

The heart arranges the symphony of life within us. Its valves ensure harmony in its circulation rhythm.

The mitral valve is special. It acts as a gatekeeper between the left atrium and the ventricle. It helps the flow of oxygen-rich blood to nourish our organs and tissues.

According to the research, there are conditions such as Mitral valve prolapse, Endocarditis, Heart attack or coronary artery disease, Cardiomyopathy, and Congenital heart defects that require mitral valve replacement.

It’s us who need to be conscious of our health because “The key to a healthy life is having a healthy mind.” –  Richard Davidson

What is Mitral Valve Replacement?

Mitral valve replacement surgery is a process to treat damaged or diseased mitral valve.

The surgery fixes flaps of the mitral valve. When they don't close, they cause blood to flow backward to the heart.

The flaps of the mitral valve are also called leaflets or cusps. They control blood flow through the left atrium to the left ventricle.

When flaps don’t close, blood may leak the wrong way. This is also called mitral regurgitation or mitral valve insufficiency.

5 Conditions that Require Mitral Valve Replacement

1. Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a condition where the mitral valve bows or flops back into your left atrium. That's why it's also called floppy valve syndrome. This prevents the valve from closing as it should.

Causes

• Marfan syndrome
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Ebstein anomaly
• Muscular dystrophy
• Graves’ disease
• Scoliosis

Symptoms

• Anxiety.
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Chest pain.
• Dizziness.
• Fatigue.
• Heart palpitations
• Migraines.

Diagnosis

• Transthoracic echocardiogram.
• Transesophageal echocardiogram
• Electrocardiography (ECG/EKG).
• Chest X-ray.
• Cardiac catheterization.

2. Endocarditis

Endocarditis is a dangerous condition. The endocardium, which is the heart's inner lining, becomes inflamed. Infections, bacteria, fungi, or germs cause it. They enter the bloodstream and stick to damaged heart areas.

Causes

• Birth defect
• Damaged or abnormal heart valve
• History of endocarditis
• New heart valve after surgery
• Long-term intravenous line in place
• Bacterial infection
• Endocarditis can also be caused by fungi, such as Candida.

Symptoms

• Aching joints and muscles
• Chest pain while breathing
• Fatigue
• Flu-like symptoms
• Night sweats
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the feet, legs, or belly

Common symptoms:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Blood in the urine
• Tenderness
• Painless red, purple, or brown spots on the bottom of the feet or the palms
• Hyperpigmented on the tips of the fingers or toes (Osler nodes)
• Tiny purple, red, or brown round spots 

Diagnosis

• Blood culture test
• Complete blood count
• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). 
• Chest X-ray
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

3. Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the top heart disease and cause of death in the U.S. To prevent or treat it, there's a lot to do. CAD begins when plaque, a sticky material, builds up in heart arteries, blocking blood flow.

Causes

The most common cause of CAD is a vascular injury with cholesterol or plaque that builds in the arteries known as atherosclerosis.

Symptoms

• Tightness
• Discomfort
• Pressure
• Heaviness
• Squeezing
• Burning
• Aching
• Numbness

Diagnosis

• Blood tests.
• Computed tomography (CT) coronary angiogram
• Coronary calcium scan
• Echocardiogram (echo)
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Exercise stress test
• Cardiac catheterization

4. Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disease that causes the heart to have a harder time pumping blood to the rest of the body which causes symptoms of heart failure.

Causes

• High blood pressure.
• Heart tissue damage due to heart attack.
• Long-term rapid heart rate.
• Heart valve problems.
• COVID-19 infection.
• Certain infections
• Metabolic disorders
• Lack of essential vitamins or minerals in the diet
• Pregnancy complications.
• Iron buildup in the heart muscle
• Irregular proteins that build up in the organs are called amyloidosis.
• Connective tissue disorders.
• Drinking too much alcohol for years.
• Use of cocaine, amphetamines, or anabolic steroids.
• Use of some chemotherapy medicines and radiation to treat cancer.

Symptoms

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Rapid heartbeats
• The legs, ankles, feet, stomach area, and neck veins are swelling.
• Bloating of the stomach area
• Cough while lying down.
• Trouble lying flat
• Fatigue
• Dizziness.
• Fainting.

Diagnosis

• Blood tests
• Chest X-ray. 
• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Exercise stress tests
• Cardiac catheterization
• Cardiac MRI
• Cardiac CT scan
• Genetic testing or screening

 5. Congenital Heart Defects

A congenital heart defect is a problem with the heart's structure that a child is born with. Some defects are simple, and some are more complex and need surgeries for years.

Causes

• Rubella (German measles)
• Diabetes
• Medications
• Drinking alcohol during pregnancy
• Smoking
• Family history and genetics.

Symptoms

Several symptoms of congenital heart effects are usually noticed soon after birth or a few months of life which include:

• Pale gray or blue lips, tongue or fingernails
• Rapid breathing
• Swelling in the legs, belly, or eyes
• Shortness of breath

Less serious symptoms include:

• Easily becoming short of breath
• Easily tiring during exercise or activity
• Fainting during exercise or activity
• Swelling in the hands, ankles or feet 

Diagnosis

• Pulse oximetry
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)4
• Echocardiogram
• Chest X-ray
• Cardiac catheterization
• Heart magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Conclusion

Mitral valve replacement surgery helps to treat damaged mitral valve to prevent complications.

Several conditions require replacement which include Mitral valve Prolapse, Endocarditis, Coronary artery disease, Cardiomyopathy, and Congenital heart defects that require early treatment to prevent complications.