CIRCULATORY DISORDERS(Mitral Regurgitation)

Mitral Regurgitation

Mitral Valve Regurgitation — or Mitral Regurgitation — is a condition in which the mitral valve doesn't close tightly, which allows blood to flow backward in the heart.

When the mitral valve doesn't function properly, blood can't move through the heart or to the rest of the body as efficiently. Mitral valve regurgitation is also called Mitral Insufficiency, or incompetence. The condition can leave the person fatigued and short of breath.

CAUSES

There are several causes for leaky heart valves. Birth defects can deform them. Infections can scar them. Heart attacks can damage them, and the mechanics of an enlarged heart can stretch out the opening so that the valve is no longer large enough to work effectively.

* RHEUMATIC FEVER – infectious diseases of several kinds can afflict the inside of the heart, leading to scarring of the heart’s valves.

* HEART ATTACK – inadequate blood supply to the heart can weaken the small muscles that hold the mitral valve in place, causing it to leak.

* CONGENITAL DEFORMITY – several different types of congenital heart defects distort the mitral valve.

* HEART MUSCLE DISEASE – not only infections, but many other types of disease can weaken the heart muscle, stretching out the mitral valve ring so that the valve no longer closes. Among these causes are alcohol, certain drugs, radiation, muscular dystrophies, malnutrition, cancer, and a long list of inflammatory and metabolic disorders.

RISK FACTORS

* A history of rheumatic fever or other serious infectious disease

* Inflammatory diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis

* Storage diseases such as hemochromatosis and glycogen storage disease

* Heart disease

* Muscle disease

* Malnutrition

* Alcoholism

* Radiation exposure

* Exposure to certain drugs (eg, lithium, sulfonamides, cancer chemotherapy, phenothiazines)

SYMPTOMS

* Chronic, progressive fatigue

* Shortness of Breath

* Worsening shortness of breath when you lie down

DIAGNOSIS

* Chest X-ray

* Electrocardiogram

* Cardiac Ultrasound (echocardiogram)

* Cardiac Catheterization

TREATMENT

Treatment options include the following:

TREAT UNDERLYING DISEASE

Treating heart failure and heart disease may render the mitral valve competent.

SURGERY

There are several open heart surgical procedures that can fix leaking valves. The type chosen will depend upon the particular nature of the valve.

PREVENTION

To help reduce the chance of getting mitral regurgitation, take the following steps:

* Prevent heart disease by controlling weight and blood pressure, exercising, eating heart-healthy foods, and watching the cholesterol levels

* Avoid contact with streptococcal diseases including strep throat, tonsillitis, scarlet fever, and rheumatic fever

* Limit alcohol intake