Valvular Heart Disease 3

Question 1

Discuss structural causes of mitral valve insufficiency (regurgitation).

Answer 1

leaflet substance loss or destruction
excess leaflet
loss of annular contraction or annular stretch
chordal rupture or pap muscle dysfunction
left ventricle and left atrium size- may cause malposition of papillary muscles

Question 2

Describe the volume and pressure changes the accompany mitral insufficiency.

Answer 2

mitral regurgitation volume overloads the left ventricle (increased preload) and reduces impedance to forward ejection of blood (reduced after load); low systolic pressure in left ventricle

compensation occurs by dilation and more complete ejection to reduced end-systolic volume

Question 3

What is myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve?

Answer 3

inherited tissue abnormality with an excessive amount of proteoglycans resulting in a weakened structure (floppy)