Echocardiographic Assessment of Degenerative Mitral Stenosis: A Diagnostic Challenge of an Emerging Cardiac Disease

Degenerative mitral stenosis (DMS) is characterized by decreased mitral valve (MV) orifice area and increased transmitral pressure gradient (TMPG) due to chronic non-inflammatory degeneration and subsequent calcification of the fibrous mitral annulus and the MV leaflets. The ‘true’ prevalence of DMS in the general population is not well known. DMS predominantly affects elderly individuals, many of whom have multiple other comorbidities. Transcatheter MV replacement techniques, although their long-term outcomes are to be tested, have been gaining popularity and may e merge as an optimal treatment options for patients with DMS.

Source: Current Problems in Cardiology - January 9, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Ahmet Af şin Oktay, Yvonne E. Gilliland, Carl J. Lavie, Stephen R. Ramee, Sangeeta Shah, Michael E. Cash, Homeyar Dinshaw, Salima Qamruddin Source Type: research