Why does mitral stenosis cause thromboembolism?

Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Due to mitral stenosis, thrombus formation can sometimes occur, especially when ischemic cerebrovascular diseases lead to cerebral infarction. This is because mitral stenosis can cause emboli to dislodge and travel through the bloodstream to reach the cerebral arteries or veins, leading to thrombus formation. During this period, anticoagulant medications are sometimes used for treatment. If a patient has a history of mitral stenosis, it is necessary to actively use medications for treatment. During this time, it is also important to monitor changes in the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse to control the ventricular rate. Currently, treatment is primarily symptomatic, aimed at improving cardiac function.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Is mild regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves serious?

Because mild regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves is a type of heart valve disease, if it is not very severe, it can be observed for the time being, and some medications can be used to alleviate the symptoms. Currently, the treatment of this disease is mainly symptomatic. It is also important to monitor changes in the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse. If the patient experiences chest tightness, palpitations, or difficulty breathing, some cardiotonics and diuretics can be used to reduce the cardiac load and thus improve the patient's symptoms. If it is a mild regurgitation, regular cardiac echocardiography checks are sufficient. During this period, it is still important to actively prevent upper respiratory tract infections.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Does severe mitral valve regurgitation require surgery?

Severe mitral valve regurgitation requires surgical treatment, with options including mitral valve repair or replacement surgery. If left untreated, severe mitral regurgitation can lead to enlargement of the left ventricle and a reduction in the heart's ejection fraction, resulting in decreased pumping function and symptoms of heart failure. Patients may experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, fatigue, and nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnea. Severe cases might even exhibit symptoms of acute left heart failure, such as orthopnea, profuse sweating, and coughing up pink frothy sputum. These symptoms typically necessitate hospitalization, which not only adds unnecessary financial burdens but also severely impacts the patient’s quality of life.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Can mild mitral and tricuspid regurgitation be cured by taking medication?

If a patient frequently exhibits mild regurgitation of the mitral or tricuspid valve, it is advisable to go to the hospital for a cardiac echocardiogram, as this would help to further clarify the diagnosis. If the condition is related to heart valve disease, early stage treatment can involve using medications to improve ventricular rate, or to manage heart failure, thereby reducing the load on the heart. During this period, it is still necessary to actively monitor the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse changes. If the patient's heart rate is too fast or blood pressure is elevated, these symptoms need to be actively managed using medications. Because this disease can recur, medical treatment can only improve symptoms but is not curative; regular follow-ups are still required.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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The reason for the formation of mitral stenosis pear-shaped heart

The heart undergoes a contraction cycle that begins once the ejection from the previous cycle is complete, necessitating the relaxation of the heart. As the heart relaxes, the mitral valve opens to allow blood to flow from the atrium to the ventricle, preparing for the next heartbeat. In patients with severe mitral stenosis, a significant reduction in the return volume of blood to the heart occurs. This reduction diminishes the pumping action of the ventricle, leading to disuse atrophy of the left ventricle. Normally, the left ventricle is relatively large and capable of maintaining a normal heart shape. When the left ventricle atrophies, it results in the heart having a flatter, more rounded apex, leading to a pear-shaped heart. If the ventricles are unable to efficiently reclaim blood, the load on the left atrium increases. Consequently, the left atrium enlarges, appearing larger at the top and smaller at the bottom in an X-ray, resembling a pear. This is how a pear-shaped heart is formed.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Severe mitral regurgitation indicators

The criteria for judging mitral valve regurgitation mainly depend on the percentage of the regurgitation area in relation to the left atrial area. If the area of mitral regurgitation exceeds 40% of the left atrial area, it is medically termed as severe regurgitation. If it is below 20%, it is considered mild regurgitation. Generally, patients with severe regurgitation require surgical treatment. This treatment can be conducted through mitral valve replacement surgery or mitral valve repair surgery. Surgical treatment can effectively prevent the occurrence of heart failure, thereby improving the quality of life and extending the patient's lifespan.