MITRAL OR AORTIC VALVE DEFECT
A disease of the mitral or aortic valve could be due to several causes. The mitral valve allows oxygen-rich blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. A dysfunction in this valve causes a reduced blood flow to the left ventricle. The aortic valve pumps the oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle out to the entire body. A dysfunction in this valve causes a reduced flow of oxygen-rich blood to the body. A defect of one of the valves forces the heart to work harder in order to pump enough blood to the body.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HEART VALVE DISEASE?
Severity of symptoms often depends on the level of the dysfunctionality of the valves. Symptoms may range from fatigue, shortness of breath during exertion, coughing, dizziness, congestion around the heart and lungs, swelling of the legs and feet, and mainly in children affected by aortic stenosis not eating enough and not gaining enough weight.
HOW IS HEART VALVE DISEASE TREATED?
There are several treatment options for dysfunctional valves, and there is no single option that is right for every patient. One option is pharmacological therapy which may be appropriate to help in treating symptoms associated with the dysfunction of the valve. Another treatment option is an open-heart surgery performed with an adult size (19 mm or greater) valve, that is not ideal for a children’s heart. An additional treatment option is to implant a 17 or 15mm mechanical heart valve, the latter specifically designed for treating young patients with complex conditions, including newborns and young babies.
