Mitral stenosis

Question 1

What is mitral stenosis?

Answer 1

Valvular anomaly of the mitral valve that leads to obstruction of blood flow into the left ventricle

Question 2

What are the causes of mitral stenosis?

Answer 2

Rheumatic fever 
Autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis)

Question 3

What are the clinical feature of mitral stenosis?

Answer 3

Initially asymptomatic
Dyspnea 
Hemoptysis
Atrial fibrillation
signs and symptoms of right-sided heart failure

Question 4

How is mitral stenosis diagnosed?

Answer 4

(Auscultation) Diastolic murmur, 5th left intercostal space at the mid-clavicular line (the apex), Opening snap of the mitral valve after S2, Shorter interval between S2 and opening snap indicative of more severe disease
(Chest x-ray) Left atrial enlargement
(Echocardiography) Valve thickening + calcification

Question 5

What is the treatment of mitral stenosis?

Answer 5

(Conservative treatment) Walfrin (for AF), Diuretic (for pulmonary oedema)
(Surgical) percutaneous balloon commissurotomy of the mitral valve (inflation of balloon over cardiac valve)

Question 6

What are the complications of mitral stenosis?

Answer 6

Atrial fibrillation
Pulmonary oedema
Congestive heart failure