Can mitral valve regurgitation be detected by imaging?

Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Mitral stenosis is a type of heart valve disease. It may be congenital heart disease or rheumatic heart disease, depending on individual differences. It is recommended that patients go to the hospital for a cardiac ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis, as X-rays cannot differentiate between mitral regurgitation and mitral stenosis. This condition requires a cardiac ultrasound for diagnosis. If patients experience symptoms like palpitations, chest tightness, or difficulty breathing during this period, these issues need to be actively managed. Generally, positive inotropic agents are used to alleviate the current condition of the patient and achieve relief, while also ensuring regular follow-up visits at the hospital.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Why does mitral valve insufficiency cause left ventricular hypertrophy?

The mitral valve is an important structure within the left ventricular system; it serves as the necessary channel for blood from the left atrium to enter the left ventricle. Normally, this channel allows for unidirectional flow. However, when mitral valve insufficiency occurs, blood flows back from the left ventricle to the left atrium. This leads to an increase in cardiac work, reduces the efficiency of the heart’s function, and causes hypertrophy due to overuse of the left ventricle. When the mitral valve closes to a certain extent, it can lead to an enlargement of the left ventricle. This is why mitral valve insufficiency can cause enlargement of the left ventricle, primarily because it increases ineffective work, leading to an increased cardiac load.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Why does mitral regurgitation decrease during inspiration?

If the patient has a history of mitral valve regurgitation, this condition can lead to changes in heart function, particularly symptoms like palpitations and difficulty breathing. If the symptoms decrease during inhalation, this might be caused by abnormally low pressure in the left ventricle or left atrium. Since this is a pathological change, it is currently recommended that the patient actively use medication and control changes in heart function. If the condition worsens, sometimes surgical treatment is advised as it can also serve a therapeutic purpose.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Can mitral valve insufficiency run?

Patients with mitral valve stenosis and insufficiency are advised not to run, as running is an aerobic exercise that increases heart rate. This can lead to symptoms like palpitations, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing, which are indicative of the heart needing more oxygen supply. Moreover, running increases the heart rate, which in turn increases the myocardial oxygen consumption and is detrimental to health. Particularly, running with mitral valve insufficiency is very dangerous. It is recommended to rest primarily and avoid participating in sports, especially running, for the health of the patient.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Can people with mitral valve regurgitation drink coffee?

The mitral valve refers to an important passageway between the atrium and the ventricle in the left heart system. This passageway is unidirectional. When the blood from the ventricle can flow back to the atrium through the mitral valve, it indicates mitral valve regurgitation. Mild to moderate mitral valve regurgitation often has no symptoms, and drinking coffee is permissible. However, patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation may experience severe palpitations, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Drinking coffee can cause arrhythmias, palpitations, chest tightness, and increased heart workload; therefore, it is advised that such patients should not consume coffee.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Can mitral valve insufficiency be detected on a chest radiograph?

Mitral valve insufficiency is characterized by an enlarged heart, and a blowing murmur can be heard during mitral valve systole through auscultation. Therefore, in chest X-ray examinations, an enlargement of the left lower cardiac border can be observed. Some severe cases may exhibit pulmonary artery hypertension, indicated by a prominent pulmonary artery segment; additionally, patients with heart failure may show increased pulmonary blood flow, all of which aid in the diagnosis of mitral valve insufficiency. However, this is not the definitive diagnosis, which should be determined through echocardiography. Especially through Doppler imaging, the enlargement of heart structures, the mosaic blood flow caused by mitral valve insufficiency, and changes in blood flow speed and direction can be clearly diagnosed. Therefore, the primary diagnostic tool for mitral valve insufficiency is not the chest X-ray, which only shows indirect signs, but echocardiography.