Mitral stenosis resident survival guide

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Definition

Mitral stenosis refers to abnormal narrowing of mitral orifice which leads to obstruction of blood flow from left atrium to left ventricle and development of a pressure gradient between the two chambers.

Causes

Life Threatening Causes

Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.

• Infective endocarditis

Common Causes

• Congenital
• Infective endocarditis
• Mitral annular calcification
• Rheumatic fever

Management

Shown below is an algorithm summarizing the approach to [[disease name]].

Characterize the symptoms: ❑ Exercise intolerance ❑ Dyspnea on exertion ❑ Palpitations ❑ Orthopnoea ❑ Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea ❑ Hoarseness ❑ Cough ❑ Hemoptysis ❑ Thromboembolism ❑ Respiratory infections ❑ Fatigue ❑ Right heart failure signs: ❑ Peripheral edema ❑ Ascites ❑ Hepatomegaly

Examine the patient: Pulse ❑ Tachycardia ❑ Reduced pulse pressure ❑ Irregularly irregular (with onset of AF) ❑ Reduced in volume Head: ❑ Mitral facies ❑ Plethoric cheeks with bluish patches Neck: ❑ Jugular venous distension ❑ Prominent a wave in right heart failure ❑ Absent a wave in AF ❑ Prominent v wave in TR Chest: ❑ Left parasternal heave ❑ Loud S1 ❑ Loud P2 (indicates pulmonary hypertension) ❑ Opening snap ❑ Murmur ❑ Mid diastolic murmur (low pitched, rumbling) ❑ Holosystolic murmur indicates TR ❑ Graham-Steell murmur indicates pulmonary regurgitation ❑ Rales

❑ Perform EKG ❑ Perform chest X-ray ❑ Perform transthoracic echocardiography

Medical therapy ❑ Consider heart rate control in MS patients with: ❑ Normal sinus rhythm and symptoms present on exercise ❑ AF and fast ventricular response ❑ Consider anticoagulation therapy in MS patients with: ❑ AF ❑ Prior embolic event ❑ Left atrial thrombus

References

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