Mitral Stenosis Treatment in Turkey

What is Mitral Stenosis?

Mitral Stenosis occurs when the opening of the mitral valve becomes narrowed, making it harder for blood to move from the left atrium into the left ventricle. Rheumatic heart disease is the most common cause worldwide, although mitral stenosis can also result from valve calcification, congenital abnormalities, or other less common conditions. Severe disease can lead to pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and other complications.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

Timely treatment can help relieve breathlessness and other symptoms, reduce pressure on the heart and lungs, manage complications such as atrial fibrillation, and prevent worsening heart failure. Regular assessment helps determine whether continued monitoring, symptom or complication medications, percutaneous mitral commissurotomy, or valve surgery is appropriate based on symptoms, disease severity, valve anatomy, and overall health.

What are the Common Symptoms of Mitral Stenosis?

• Shortness of Breath: Breathlessness may occur during physical activity and can become more noticeable as the valve narrowing progresses.
• Fatigue: Reduced blood flow into the left ventricle may contribute to tiredness and reduced physical endurance.
• Palpitations: An irregular or rapid heartbeat may occur, particularly when atrial fibrillation develops.
• Reduced Exercise Tolerance: Routine activities may become increasingly difficult because of breathlessness or fatigue.
• Swelling: Fluid retention may cause swelling of the ankles, feet, or lower legs, particularly in more advanced disease.
• Dizziness or Chest Discomfort: Some patients may experience lightheadedness or chest discomfort, especially during exertion.

Causes and Risk Factors of Mitral Stenosis

Causes

• Rheumatic Heart Disease: Previous rheumatic fever can cause progressive scarring and narrowing of the mitral valve and remains the most common cause worldwide.
• Mitral Valve Calcification: Calcium deposits can progressively restrict valve movement, particularly in older adults.
• Congenital Mitral Stenosis: Some people are born with mitral valve abnormalities that cause narrowing.
• Autoimmune or Inflammatory Conditions: Conditions such as lupus can rarely contribute to mitral valve disease.
• Other Structural Valve Changes: Less common abnormalities may also interfere with normal mitral valve opening.

Risk Factors

• Previous rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease
• Increasing age
• History of valvular heart disease
• Congenital heart abnormalities
• Conditions associated with valve calcification
• Certain autoimmune or inflammatory diseases
• Previous heart valve procedure

Latest Research and Technologies in the Treatment of Mitral Stenosis in Turkey

• Advanced cardiac centres in Turkey use multimodality imaging and catheter-based techniques to evaluate and treat mitral valve disease. Depending on the hospital and patient needs, these may include transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, three-dimensional echocardiography, cardiac CT and MRI, and catheter-based mitral balloon valvuloplasty. Some specialist centres also provide broader structural heart interventions and advanced cardiac imaging to support treatment planning