Degenerative Mitral Stenosis: From Pathophysiology to Challenging Interventional Treatment

Mitral stenosis (MS) is characterized by obstruction of left ventricular inflow as a result of narrowing of the mitral valve orifice. Although its prevalence has declined over the last decade, especially in developed countries, it remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality.  The most often cause of MS worldwide is still postrheumatic mitral valve disease. However, in developed countries, degenerative or calcific changes cause MS in a siginificant proportion of patients. Although the range of treatment for mitral valve disease has grown over the years in parallel with transcatheter therapies for aortic valve disease, these improvements in mitral valve disease therapy have experienced slower development.

Source: Current Problems in Cardiology - April 6, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Marko Banovic, Mark DaCosta Source Type: research