Valvular Heart Disease Flashcards
Objectives
- Know common heart valve lesions
- Learn about the patho-physiology of each
- Recognise the symptoms of valve disease and natural progression of the disease
- Learn about the diagnostic investigations
- Learn about the treatment
In valvular heart disease, how does damage to one valve affect others?
If one valve is affected, there’s a high likelihood that others will be as well.
What is mitral stenosis?
Mitral stenosis is a narrowing of the mitral valve opening that blocks (obstructs) blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.
- Mitral stenosis usually results from rheumatic fever.
Aetiology of Mitral stenosis
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Congenital MS
- Systemic conditions: SLE, RA
Pathophysiology of mitral stenosis
- MV orifice <2cm2
- A-V p gradient increases
- LA pressure increases
- Pulmonary venous and capillary pressure increases
- PVR increases
- PaP increases and PHT develops
- RH dilatation with TR and PReg
What occurs to LV pressures and systolic function in mitral stenosis?
They remain normal
Clinical manifestations for mitral stenosis
- Dyspnoea: mild exertional to pulmonary oedema
- Haemoptisis: rupture of thin-walled veins
- Systemic embolisation: LA and LAA enlargement
- IE
- Chest pain
- Hoarseness (compression of the L recurrent laryngeal nerve).
Clinical examination signs of mitral stenosis
- Mitral facies: discolouration of the cheeks and the nose
- Pulse: normal
- JVP: prominent a wave
- Tapping apex beat and diastolic thrill
- RV heave
- Auscultation
Investigation techniques for mitral stenosis
- ECG
- Cardiac catheterisation
- Chest X-ray
Imaging in mitral stenosis
- Echocardiography:
thickening and scarring of the leaflets
Fusion of the commissures - Cardiac magnetic resonance
What is the medical treatment used for mitral stenosis?
- Diuretics and restriction of Na intake
- AF: SR restoration or ventricular rate control
- Anticagulation: all those with AF, debatable in SR
Interventional treatment for mitral stenosis
- Valvotomy (balloon vs surgical)
- MVR (mitral valve replacement)
Aetiology and Pathology of mitral regurgitation
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Mitral valve prolapse (MVP)
- IE
- Degenerative
- Functional MR due to LV and annular dilatation
Pathophysiology of mitral regurgitation
- ERO - not fixed: preload, afterload, LV contractility
- LV compensation:
Acute: ESP and ESV decreases, Wall tension decreases
Chronic: EDV increases and ESV returns to normal, eccentric LVH develops
What occurs due to reduced LA compliance in mitral regurgitation?
- Marked pressure rise
- Thickening of atrial myocardium
- Increase in PVR and remodelling of the pulmonary vasculature with PHT.
What occurs due to increased LA compliance in mitral regurgitation?
- Marked volume enlargement
- Lesser changes in pulmonary vasculature, but develops AF.