Mitral Valve Disease Treatment in Turkey

What is a Mitral Valve Disease?

Mitral Valve Disease occurs when the mitral valve does not open or close normally. In mitral stenosis, the valve opening becomes narrowed and restricts blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. In mitral regurgitation, the valve does not close completely, allowing blood to flow backwards into the left atrium. Mitral valve prolapse can also cause regurgitation when the valve leaflets bulge backwards. The condition may be congenital or develop because of rheumatic heart disease, age-related changes, infection, heart disease, or other structural problems.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

Timely evaluation helps determine the type and severity of mitral valve disease, monitor changes in heart function, control symptoms, and identify when medicines, catheter-based procedures, valve repair, or valve replacement may be appropriate. Treating significant disease can help reduce the risk of complications such as atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, blood clots, heart failure, and stroke.

What are the Common Symptoms of Mitral Valve Disease?

• Shortness of Breath: Breathlessness may occur during physical activity or, in more advanced disease, at rest or when lying down.
• Fatigue: Reduced forward blood flow or increased cardiac workload may cause persistent tiredness and reduced stamina.
• Palpitations: Some people experience a fast, pounding, fluttering, or irregular heartbeat, particularly when atrial fibrillation develops.
• Swelling: Fluid retention may cause swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs.
• Reduced Exercise Tolerance: Everyday activities may become more difficult because of breathlessness or fatigue.
• Dizziness or Chest Discomfort: Significant valve disease may sometimes cause dizziness, fainting, or chest discomfort.

Causes and Risk Factors of Mitral Valve Disease

Causes

• Rheumatic Heart Disease: Previous rheumatic fever can cause long-term damage to the mitral valve, particularly leading to mitral stenosis.
• Mitral Valve Prolapse: Abnormal leaflet movement can cause mitral regurgitation.
• Age-Related Changes: Degeneration and calcium deposits can affect the valve's structure and function.
• Heart Disease: Previous heart attack, cardiomyopathy, or other structural heart conditions may damage the mitral valve.
• Infection: Infective endocarditis can damage valve tissue.
• Congenital Abnormalities: Some people are born with abnormalities affecting the mitral valve.
• Autoimmune or Inflammatory Conditions: Certain inflammatory diseases can affect the heart valves.
• Previous Chest Radiation: Radiation treatment involving the chest may contribute to later valve damage.

Risk Factors

• Older age
• Previous rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease
• Previous heart attack or heart disease
• Congenital heart abnormalities
• Previous infective endocarditis
• Certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions
• Previous chest radiation
• Family history of certain valve disorders
• Conditions associated with mitral annular calcification

Latest Research and Technologies in the Treatment of Mitral Valve Disease in Turkey

• Modern mitral valve care increasingly uses advanced echocardiography, 3D imaging, cardiac CT and MRI, minimally invasive surgery, and catheter-based interventions to assess valve anatomy and guide treatment. Current international guidelines emphasise multidisciplinary heart teams and specialised Heart Valve Centres for complex valve disease. For selected patients with severe mitral regurgitation who are unsuitable for conventional surgery, transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) may provide a less invasive treatment option. Mitral valve repair, minimally invasive approaches, and personalised timing of intervention are also important aspects of modern care.