Mitral Stenosis

Occurs when there is obstruction to flow through the mitral valve during diastole

Aetiology

  • Rheumatic fever
  • Calcification related to age
  • Congenital

Clinical presentation

Symptoms

  • Dyspnoea
  • Fatigue
  • Palpitations (AF)
    • Mitral stenosis causes the pressure in the left atria to remain elevated, so the atria enlarges → can cause AF

Signs

  • Mid-diastolic murmur best heard at the apex
  • Malar flush
  • Tapping apex beat

Investigations

  • CXR
  • ECG
  • Echocardiogram - main method to assess the severity and consequences of mitral stenosis

Management

Medical therapy

  • Diuretics
  • Treat AF

Surgery

  • Valve replacement
  • Balloon valvuloplasty if can’t tolerate valve replacement