Definition
Mitral valve insufficiency is a valve defect of the mitral valve (bicuspid valve), which connects the left atrium of the heart with the left ventricle. Due to an insufficiency, the valve no longer closes completely and blood can flow more or less between the atrium and the ventricle in all phases of the heart‘s action. If more than 15% of the blood that is normally pumped into the circulation from the left ventricle returns to the atrium, this is called relevant mitral valve insufficiency.
Causes
In general, a distinction must be made between primary and secondary mitral valve insufficiency. A primary insufficiency is when the valve itself is responsible for the malfunction and thus causes the insufficiency. Congenital malformations, calcification of the valve, infections, as well as disorders of the valve retaining apparatus are possible causes of primary insufficiency.
Secondary insufficiency is caused by changes and diseases of the heart. Secondary insufficiencies are caused by changes in the shape or function of the heart muscle. Since the change in this case is not primarily caused by the valve itself, it is called a secondary cause in these cases.
Examples of secondary causes that can lead to mitral valve insufficiency are cardiac hypertrophy (enlargement of the heart muscle), inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), or reduced blood flow to the heart due to coronary heart disease. Acute mitral valve insufficiency may also occur. This is caused, for example, by acute bacterial infections or injuries to the heart and represents a cardiological emergency.
Symptoms
Chronic mitral valve insufficiency often develops over a long period of time, so symptoms appear relatively late. Typical symptoms of chronic mitral valve insufficiency are general fatigue, especially breathing difficulties and water retention during exercise. A cough, which typically occurs at night, is also typical of mitral valve insufficiency.
Thus, the general performance of affected individuals is limited in the presence of relevant mitral valve insufficiency. When the heart is listened to, a typical heart murmur is perceptible, which is groundbreaking for the diagnosis of mitral valve insufficiency. Especially if the insufficiency persists for a long time, an insufficiency of the right heart develops.
This insufficiency can be accompanied by blood congestion in the liver, kidneys and neck veins. Rhythm disturbances of the heart action may also occur. In some cases, these are noticeable by palpable heartbeats (palpations). Heart rhythm disturbances can have serious and life-threatening consequences, such as the formation of a blood clot.
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