Mitral Valve Regurgitation
Your heart has four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. Between each chamber is a valve that opens to allow blood to pass from the top chambers (the atria) to the bottom chambers (the ventricles). The valves close to ensure that the blood doesn't regurgitate back the way it came.
The mitral valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle. Unlike the three other valves in the heart which have three flaps or cusps, the mitral valve only has two. When pressure in the left ventricle drops, the mitral valve opens, and oxygen rich blood from the left atrium flows into the left ventricle. If the mitral valve can't function correctly, blood in the left ventricle will flow backwards into the left atrium.
Mitral Insufficiency
The mitral valve can become insufficient because of disease or a dilated left ventricle. A diseased mitral valve causes primary mitral regurgitation. Diseases that affect the mitral valve are:
- Myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve
- Ischemic heart disease / Coronary artery disease
- Infective endocarditis
- Collagen vascular diseases (ie: SLE, Marfan's syndrome)
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Trauma
- Balloon valvulotomy of the mitral valve
- Certain forms of medication (e.g. fenfluramine)
A dilated left ventricle causes secondary mitral regurgitation. When left ventricle dilation occurs, the mitral valve becomes stretched and the cusps become displaced and unable to close sufficiently.
Surgical Treatment
Mitral valve regurgitation can be treated surgically by repairing or replacing the valve. Dr. Thorne, Dr. Schorlemmer, and Dr. Affleck specialize in cardiac valve repair and replacement at Western Cardiovascular Associates. Whether you live in Salt Lake City, Ogden, or Utah Valley, or anywhere in the country, contact Western Cardiovascular Associates or call us at 801-743-4750 today.