Mitral stenosis

Mitral stenosis is a narrowing of the mitral valve orifice. Fusion of the leaflet commissures or encroachment by annular calcium reduces the orifice area. Usually occurs as a consequence of rheumatic fever in low- and middle-income countries but is more likely due to mitral annular calcification in high-income countries.

Causes decreased filling of the left ventricle, while simultaneously increasing left atrial pressure, producing the syndrome of heart failure.

As disease progresses, pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure occur.

Mild disease can be treated symptomatically with diuretics. Moderate to severe disease requires mechanical correction of the valve obstruction by valvotomy, valve repair, or valve replacement.

Mitral stenosis is a narrowing of the mitral valve orifice, often caused by rheumatic valvulitis producing fusion of the valve commissures and thickening of the valve leaflets.