Mitral Valve Disease | Symptoms & Treatment | MedStar Health

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The mitral valve controls blood flow between the left atrium and left ventricle as it travels from the lungs to the rest of the body. Normally, the valve opens widely when the heart muscles relax and closes tightly when they contract. Mitral valve disease makes it difficult for the valve to open and close correctly.

This can lead to atrial fibrillation or heart failure. The team at our Structural Heart and Valvular Disease Program has experience in innovative approaches and minimally invasive techniques to treat mitral valve disease.

Types of heart valve disease

Types of mitral valve disease include:

  • How Heart Valves Work

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    The heart is a beating muscle that pumps blood throughout the body. Inside, the heart four valves open and close in precise sequence to keep the blood moving in the appropriate direction.

  • Valvular Stenosis

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    If a valve becomes narrow, stiff or thickened, the heart must work harder to force blood through the smaller opening. A valve that has become narrowed or thickened can compromise blood flow. This condition is called valvular stenosis.

  • Valvular Regurgitation

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    A malformed or damaged valve may not close properly, allowing blood to leak backwards. This condition is called valvular regurgitation or valvular insufficiency.

Tests

Diagnosing mitral valve disease is the first step to developing a treatment plan. Our specialists may recommend one or more diagnostic and imaging procedures.

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat a variety of heart and vascular conditions by guiding thin, flexible tubes called catheters through blood vessels to problem areas.

Chest X-Rays

Chest X-rays use a small dose of radiation to create pictures of the structures inside the chest, including the lungs, heart, and chest wall.

Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan

The cardiac computed tomography scan, or cardiac CT, uses X-rays to create three-dimensional images of your heart and blood vessels.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your heart.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, measures the heart’s electrical activity.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Magnetic resonance imaging, better known as cardiac MRI, is a combination of radio waves, magnets, and computer technology to create images of your heart and blood vessels.

Stress Tests

Stress tests are used to assess how your heart works during physical activity. There are several types of stress tests, including treadmill or bike stress tests, nuclear stress tests, stress echocardiograms, and chemically induced stress tests.

Treatments

Treatment will depend on the type and severity of your condition. If your symptoms are mild, your doctor may simply recommend monitoring or taking medications to treat the symptoms. If your condition is severe or worsening, you may need surgery to repair or replace the valve.

MitraClip™

MitraClip is a device our doctors use to treat mitral insufficiency, also known as mitral regurgitation.

Mitral Valve Disease Treatments

Mitral valve disease treatments may include medication, minimally invasive procedures, and surgery to treat a damaged valve.

Percutaneous Valve Treatments

Percutaneous valve procedures use catheter-based methods to replace a damaged heart valve and are less invasive than traditional open-heart surgeries.

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Ask MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute

Have general questions for our heart and vascular program? Email us at AskMHVI@medstar.net. If you have clinically-specific questions, please contact your physician’s office.