Mitral Stenosis

UT Southwestern Medical Center’s heart experts have the experience, skill, and advanced techniques and technologies to properly diagnose and treat mitral stenosis.

With thorough evaluation and evidence-based therapies, our experienced team improves the quality of life for people suffering from this heart valve condition. Our Heart and Vascular Center is one of the nation’s leading programs, offering a variety of treatments for mitral stenosis, including minimally invasive surgery and catheter-based treatments.

What Is Mitral Valve Stenosis?

Mitral stenosis (also called mitral valve stenosis) is a condition in which an abnormal mitral valve restricts the heart’s blood flow, increasing the work the left atrium must do to pump enough blood to the left ventricle.

The resulting pressure overload is transmitted to the lungs, which causes symptoms of shortness of breath/fatigue due to congestion in the pulmonary blood vessels.

In addition – because the right ventricle feeds blood to the left side of the heart – the restriction and congestion caused by mitral stenosis can eventually cause the right ventricle to fail.

Mitral valve stenosis is typically caused by rheumatic heart disease, with many patients having a history of rheumatic fever. In developed countries, mitral stenosis is often due to degeneration and calcification of the mitral valve. The condition is more common in women than men.

UT Southwestern heart doctors provide leading-edge diagnosis and treatment of mitral stenosis. Our cardiologists and surgeons are experts in minimally invasive approaches to valve surgery, and we’ve performed more of these procedures than others in North Texas.

UT Southwestern is also home to a dedicated Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. Cardiac rehabilitation is a critical component of recovery and can prevent future heart disease.

What Are Symptoms of Mitral Valve Stenosis?

Symptoms of mitral valve stenosis can include:

• Fatigue
• Fluid retention and swelling in the legs and abdomen (symptoms of right-sided heart failure)
• Hoarseness
• Neck vein distension
• Shortness of breath on exertion, lying flat, or waking up (symptoms of left-sided heart failure)
• Blood clots in the systemic vein (systemic embolism) of the left atrium, caused by pulmonary congestion
• Coughing up of blood (extreme cases)

How Is Mitral Valve Stenosis Diagnosed?

UT Southwestern heart doctors might perform several tests to determine the problem. Common diagnostic tests for mitral stenosis include:

• Cardiac catheterization: To evaluate the pressure gradient across the mitral valve
• Chest X-ray: To evaluate pulmonary congestion and heart size
• Echocardiography (echo or cardiac ultrasound): To evaluate the mitral valve and ventricle function
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): To evaluate heart rhythm and look for signs of atrial fibrillation, left atrial enlargement, or right ventricle hypertrophy

What Are Treatments for Mitral Valve Stenosis?

Treatments for mitral stenosis include:

• Medications: Might include diuretics to limit shortness of breath; digitalis drugs, beta blockers, or verapamil to treat atrial fibrillation; or anticoagulants to prevent clot formation
• Balloon valvuloplasty: An effective procedure in select patients, which can provide long-term relief of rheumatic mitral stenosis
• Mitral valve replacement: For patients with severe disease for whom other treatments have failed

What Support Services Does UT Southwestern Offer?

UT Southwestern’s cardiac rehabilitation specialists create customized plans that integrate proper nutrition, exercise, and, if necessary, nicotine cessation into patients’ lifestyles to improve their cardiovascular health.

What Clinical Trials Are Available for Mitral Valve Stenosis?

As one of the nation’s top academic medical centers, UT Southwestern offers a number of clinical trials aimed at improving the outcomes of patients with cardiovascular disease.

Clinical trials often give patients access to leading-edge treatments that are not yet widely available. Eligible patients who choose to participate in one of UT Southwestern’s clinical trials might receive treatments years before they are available to the public.