Mitral Stenosis Child
Overview
Definition
Mitral stenosis is a narrowing of the mitral valve in the heart. The mitral valve is in the left side of the heart between the upper and lower chambers of the heart. When working properly, the valve helps to keep blood flowing in the right direction from the upper to the lower chambers.
Mitral stenosis makes it difficult for blood to move from the upper and lower chambers. This means there is less blood for the lower chamber to pump out to the body. The blood can also back up in the upper chamber and push back into the lungs.
Mitral Valve Stenosis |
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Causes
The most common cause of mitral stenosis is rheumatic fever . This infection may develop after strep throat or scarlet fever. It can scar the heart valves. Mitral stenosis may develop 5-10 years after this infection occurs.
Less common or rare causes include:
- Birth defect
- Blood clots
- Tumors
- Infective endocarditis
- Other growths that block blood flow through the mitral valve
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Symptoms are caused by the problems with blood flow and may include:
- Difficulty breathing, especially during exercise and when lying flat
- Waking up short of breath in the middle of the night
- Tiredness
- Sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Cough with exertion
- Coughing up blood
- Swelling of the legs or feet
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Lightheadedness, fainting
- Chest pain, like squeezing, pressure, or tightness (rare)
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your child’s symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Images may be taken of your child's heart. This can be done with:
- Echocardiogram
- Chest x-ray
- Transesophageal echocardiogram —a tube that runs from the mouth into the stomach to better examine the mitral valve
- Cardiac catheterization
Your child's heart function may also be tested with:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)
- Stress test
Treatments
Treatment
If your child has mild mitral stenosis, immediate treatment may not be needed. Your child's condition will be monitored to look for potential problems. Other treatment options include:
Medications
Certain medications may be given to improve heart function. The medications may help control the heart's rhythm and prevent the build up of fluid in the body.
Antibiotics may be needed to treat certain infections.
Surgery
Your child may need surgery to prevent heart damage. Common types of heart valve surgery include:
- Mitral valvulotomy—A surgical cut is made in the stenotic mitral valve to allow the valve to open wider
- Balloon valvuloplasty —A balloon is inflated in the valve to stretch out the surrounding tissue. This may provide temporary relief of symptoms, but the valve may become blocked again.
- Mitral valve replacement—the valve is replaced with a mechanical or tissue valve
Complication Management
There are several steps your child can take to avoid some of the complications of mitral stenosis:
- Get regular medical care. This includes basic checkups and heart tests.
- Take antibiotics before any dental cleaning, dental work, or other invasive procedures if it is recommended by your doctor. Not all patients with mitral stenosis need antibiotics for these procedures.
- Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt. Work with the doctor or dietitian to plan a healthy diet for your child. This may help decrease the pressure in your child’s heart and improve symptoms.
- Monitor blood pressure. Inform the doctor if your child seems to be developing high blood pressure .
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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a (Mitral Valve Stenosis—Child)
RESOURCES
American Heart Association http://www.heart.org
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Cardiovascular Society http://www.ccs.ca
Canadian Family Physician http://www.cfp.ca
References
Mitral stenosis. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115920/Mitral-stenosis . Updated November 22, 2017. Accessed December 27, 2017.
Mitral valve abnormalities. Seattle Children’s Hospital website. Available at: http://www.seattlechildrens.org/medical-conditions/heart-blood-conditions/mitral-valve-abnormalities/. Accessed December 27, 2017.
Shipton B, Wahba H. Valvular heart disease: review and update. Am Fam Physician. 20011;63:2201.