ABSTRACT
Mitral stenosis is the obstruction of diastolic blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle (LV) due to a narrowing of the mitral valve. Mitral valve area can also be calculated using the continuity equation. This calculation relies on volume of blood entering the LV via the mitral valve orifice during diastole being equal to the volume of blood leaving the LV via the LV outflow tract during systole. The mitral valve is rheumatic in appearance, with fusion of leaflets at both commissures and moderate thickening of both leaflet tips and the chordae tendineae. Mitral regurgitation is the flow of blood from the LV back through the mitral valve during systole. Three-dimensional echo is proving to be extremely useful in assessing mitral valve disease and in planning surgery. Drug therapy is mainstay of treatment in functional mitral regurgitation secondary to cardiomyopathy, although mitral valve surgery may be considered in those with severe functional regurgitation and severely impaired LV function.
