The mitral valve separates between the left atrium and ventricle. It consists of 2 cusps anchored by papillary muscles and chordae tendinae.
The diseases progress slowly, with symptoms appearing relatively late without correlation to the severity.
Mitral stenosis
During mitral stenosis, the leaflets of the mitral valve fail to open completely, decreasing blood flow capacity. The cusps are hardened, commissures are fused and the orifice is narrowed.
- Most commonly caused due to rheumatic fever. Other causes include calcification (rare, seen in older patients), and radiation therapy.
- F>M
- Mitral stenosis increases left atrial pressure leading to its enlargement, followed by AF, pulmonary HTN and edema, and eventually right heart failure.
Rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever (RF) occurs after group A streptococcal infection, due to immune activity against M protein and molecular mimicry, leading to arthritis, cardiac and valvular disease, glomerulonephritis, skin, and neurologic disorders.
- The mitral valve is affected in