Mitral Valve Disease

Treatment

Treatment options for mitral valve disease can include:

Careful monitoring

Medications

Mitral valve surgery (repair or replacement)

Careful Monitoring

If tests reveal a mild to moderate condition and the patient has no symptoms, the physician might suggest regular medical checkups to carefully monitor the mitral valve.

Medications

Medications can help reduce the heart's workload and regulate its rhythm. In some cases, medication can slow progressive mitral valve disease. However, no medications can cure heart valve disease. Mayo Clinic is involved in clinical investigations of ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-blocking and beta-blocking drugs that may benefit people with mitral valve disease.

Some people who have a heart valve defect need antibiotics prior to dental or surgical procedures. Antibiotics are used to prevent bacteria from entering the bloodstream during these procedures. Bacteria can cause endocarditis, a serious infection of the heart. Read more about endocarditis prevention.

Depending on the nature of the mitral heart valve disease, the following medications may be prescribed:

• Digitalis reduces the heart's workload and eases some symptoms.
• Diuretics lower the salt and fluid levels in the body, reducing the pressure at which blood passes through the valves. Diuretics also reduce swelling and ease the heart's workload.
• Anticoagulant medications prevent blood clots, especially in patients who have heart rhythm problems such as atrial fibrillation or have had heart valve surgery and have a replacement valve made of metallic material.
• Beta-blockers affect the contractions of muscle tissue in the heart and control heart rate and lower blood pressure.
• Calcium channel blockers also affect the contractions of muscle tissue in the heart and control heart rate and lower blood pressure.
• ACE inhibitors widen blood vessels, lower blood pressure and decrease the heart's workload.

Surgery

Mayo Clinic surgeons have extensive experience and a strong record of excellence in heart valve repair and replacement. Mayo Clinic heart surgeons repair or replace more than 500 mitral valves each year. This volume makes Mayo Clinic one of the largest and most experienced medical centers for this surgery. Learn more about mitral valve surgery.