Mitral valve stenosis Mitral valve stenosis Mitral stenosis is a valvular heart disease characterized by the narrowing of the orifice of the mitral valve of the heart. Signs and symptoms of mitral stenosis include the following: Fatigue and weakness increase with exercise and pregnancy. The natural history of mitral stenosis secondary to rheumatic fever (the most common cause) is an asymptomatic latent phase following the initial episode of rheumatic fever. This latent period lasts an average of 16.3 ± 5.2 years. Once symptoms of mitral stenosis begin to develop, progression to severe disability takes 9.2 ± 4.3 years. In individuals having been offered
Mitral valve prolapse "atrialis", "fibrosa", and "spongiosa". Patients with classic mitral valve prolapse have excess connective tissue that thickens the spongiosa and separates collagen bundles in the fibrosa. This is due to an excess of dermatan sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan. This weakens the leaflets and adjacent tissue, resulting in increased leaflet area and elongation of the chordae tendineae. Elongation of the chordae tendineae often causes rupture, commonly to the chordae attached to the posterior leaflet. Advanced lesions—also commonly involving the posterior leaflet—lead to leaflet folding, inversion, and displacement toward the left atrium. Echocardiography is the most useful method of diagnosing a prolapsed mitral valve.