Mitral stenosis Health Dictionary

Mitral Stenosis: From 2 Different Sources


Narrowing of the opening between the left ATRIUM and left VENTRICLE of the HEART as a result of rigidity of, and adhesion between, the cusps of the MITRAL VALVE. It is due, almost invariably, to the infection RHEUMATIC FEVER. The atrium has to work harder to force blood through the narrowed channel. The effects are similar to those of MITRAL INCOMPETENCE. Shortness of breath and palpitations and irregular beating (?brillation) of the atrium are common consequences in adults. Drug treatment with DIGOXIN and DIURETICS helps, but surgery to dilate or replace the faulty valve may be necessary.
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
narrowing of the opening of the mitral valve: a result of chronic scarring that follows rheumatic fever. It may be seen alone or combined with *mitral regurgitation. The symptoms are similar to those of mitral regurgitation except that the patient has a diastolic *murmur. Mild cases need no treatment, but severe cases are treated by reopening the stenosis with an Inoue balloon passed to the heart through the venous system under X-ray control (percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty) or surgically by inserting an artificial valve (mitral prosthesis).
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Aortic Stenosis

Narrowing of the AORTIC VALVE in the HEART which obstructs the ?ow of blood through it, with serious effects on the heart and the circulation. The muscle in the left ventricle works harder to compensate for the obstruction and thickens as a result. Stenosis is usually caused by the deposition of calcium on the valve and is commonly associated with ATHEROMA. Untreated, the condition leads to heart failure, but nowadays the stenosis can be treated surgically.... aortic stenosis

Mitral Valve

The mitral valve, so-called because of its resemblance to a bishop’s mitre, is the valve which guards the opening between the ATRIUM and VENTRICLE on the left side of the HEART.... mitral valve

Pulmonary Stenosis

A disorder of the HEART in which obstruction of the out?ow of blood from the right ventricle occurs. Narrowing of the pulmonary valve at the exit of the right ventricle and narrowing of the pulmonary artery may cause obstruction. The condition is usually congenital, although it may be caused by RHEUMATIC FEVER. In the congenital condition, pulmonary stenosis may occur with other heart defects and is then known as Fallot’s tetralogy. Breathlessness and enlargement of the heart and eventual heart failure may be the consequence of pulmonary stenosis. Surgery is usually necessary to remove the obstruction.... pulmonary stenosis

Pyloric Stenosis

Narrowing of the PYLORUS, the muscular exit from the STOMACH. It is usually the result of a pyloric ulcer or cancer near the exit of the stomach. Food is delayed when passing from the stomach to the duodenum and vomiting occurs. The stomach may become distended and peristalsis (muscular movement) may be seen through the abdominal wall. Unless surgically treated the patient will steadily deteriorate, losing weight, becoming dehydrated and developing ALKALOSIS.

A related condition, congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, occurs in babies (commonly boys) about 3–5 weeks old, and surgery produces a complete cure.... pyloric stenosis

Stenosis

An unnatural narrowing in any passage or ori?ce of the body. The word is especially used in connection with the four openings of the HEART at which the valves are situated. (See HEART, DISEASES OF.)... stenosis

Mitral Incompetence

A defect in the MITRAL VALVE of the HEART which allows blood to leak from the left VENTRICLE into the left ATRIUM. It is also known as mitral regurgitation; incompetence may occur along with MITRAL STENOSIS. The left ventricle has to work harder to compensate for the faulty valve, so it enlarges, but eventually the ventricle cannot cope with the extra load and left-sided heart failure may develop. A common cause of mitral incompetence is RHEUMATIC FEVER or damage following a heart attack. The condition is treated with drugs to help the heart, but in severe cases heart surgery may be required.... mitral incompetence

Tricuspid Stenosis

The normal working of the TRICUSPID VALVE in the HEART is impeded by a narrowing of the opening, often as a sequel of RHEUMATIC FEVER. As with TRICUSPID INCOMPETENCE, heart failure may result and treatment is similar, with surgery to repair or replace the faulty valve an option.... tricuspid stenosis

Regurgitations, Mitral

Backflow of blood from the left ventricle of the heart (pumping arterial blood outwards to the aorta) into the left atrium (receiving oxygenated blood from the lungs) because of faulty closure of the mitral (bicuspid) valve that guards between the two chambers.... regurgitations, mitral

Mitral Disease

A serious defect of the mitral valve of the heart. Two kinds: (1) a permanently deformed narrowed valve (mitral stenosis), or (2) a dilated, over-stretched or distorted valve through enlargement of the left ventricle. In this case imperfect closure causes back pressure which produces chest symptoms. Incompetence leads to enlargement of the heart. Often a legacy from rheumatic fever in children. Sooner or later the liver congests with possible jaundice. Presence of albumin in the urine follows kidney involvement.

Treatment. See: HEART – LEFT VENTRICULAR FAILURE. ... mitral disease

Anal Stenosis

A tightness of the anus, sometimes referred to as anal stricture.

Anal stenosis prevents the normal passage of faeces, causing constipation and pain during defaecation.

The condition may be present from birth, or may be caused by a number of conditions in which scarring has occurred, such as anal fissure, colitis, or cancer of the anus.

Anal stenosis sometimes occurs after surgery on the anus (for example, to treat haemorrhoids).

The condition is treated by anal dilatation.... anal stenosis

Mitral Valve Prolapse

A common, slight deformity of the mitral valve, in the left side of the heart, that can produce a degree of mitral incompetence. The prolapse is most common in women and causes a heart murmur. It may be inherited, but the cause is often unknown.Usually, there are no symptoms, and treatment is not needed. Occasionally, the condition may produce chest pain, arrhythmia, or, rarely, heart failure. Often, no treatment is required for mitral valve prolapse, but some people may be treated with beta-blocker drugs, diuretic drugs, antiarrhythmic drugs, or, rarely, heart-valve surgery.... mitral valve prolapse

Carotid Artery Stenosis

(carotid stenosis) narrowing of the carotid artery, which reduces the supply of blood to the brain and is a cause of strokes. It is treated by surgical excision or bypass of the narrowed segment (see also endarterectomy) or by inserting a *stent into the carotid artery.... carotid artery stenosis

Mitral Regurgitation

(mitral incompetence) failure of the *mitral valve to close, allowing a reflux of blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the left atrium. It may be due to mitral valve prolapse (MVP) in which one or both valve leaflets flop back into the left atrium (also known as ‘floppy mitral valve’). It also results from chronic rheumatic scarring of the valve, or is secondary to left ventricular muscle damage. Its manifestations include breathlessness, atrial *fibrillation, embolism, enlargement of the left ventricle, and a systolic *murmur. Mild cases are symptomless and require no treatment, but in severe cases the affected valve should be repaired or replaced with an artificial one (mitral prosthesis).... mitral regurgitation



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