Heart Valve Issues Unveiled: Insights into Diseases and Expertise of Dr. Pavan Kumar
Stenosis (narrowing of the valve): Imagine a scenario where the valve's opening becomes narrowed or damaged, hindering the smooth flow of blood out of the ventricles or atria. In such cases, the heart has to work harder, pumping blood with increased force through the narrowed or calcified (stenotic) valve. Sometimes, heart valves can face dual challenges, experiencing both regurgitation and stenosis simultaneously. Multiple valves can be affected simultaneously, adding to the complexity. When valves fail to open and close properly, it can significantly impact the heart's ability to pump blood effectively through the body, potentially leading to heart failure.
Regurgitation (leakage of the valve): In this scenario, the valves fail to close completely, causing blood to flow backwards through the valve. This results in the leakage of blood either back into the atria from the ventricles (as in the case of the mitral and tricuspid valves) or back into the ventricles (as with the aortic and pulmonary valves).
Causes:
- Congenital Valve Disease: This form of valve disease can develop before birth, where valves may be absent, atretic, or exhibit missing or malformed leaflets. The leaflets may be whole, incorrectly attached, or have a defective support system.
- Rheumatic Fever: Caused by an untreated bacterial infection, usually streptococci infection in the throat. This infection, initially occurring in children, causes inflammation of the heart valves. Symptoms linked to the inflammation may appear late.
- Connective Tissue Disorders: Primarily affecting the mitral valve, these collagen tissue disorders form a large group, including Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome leading to incompetence.
- Degenerative/Calcific Diseases: Age-related degeneration or calcification of valve leaflets can make them stiff or calcified, narrowing the opening (stenosis). This mainly affects the aortic and mitral valves and is observed in elderly patients.
- Bacterial/Viral Endocarditis: A virulent form of bacterial/viral infection that suddenly damages heart valves, causing significant harm to valve function. Usually observed in aortic and mitral valves.
- Ischemic Heart Disease: Heart attacks and coronary artery thrombosis can damage the papillary muscles of the left ventricle, the main supporting system of the mitral valve opening and closing, resulting in mitral valve incompetence.
Other Causes: Cardiac tumours damaging heart valves, carcinoid syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, annular calcification, and drug-related tricuspid valve infection, among others.
Navigating through these complexities requires the expertise of a skilled professional. Dr. Pavan Kumar stands as the beacon of hope and expertise in tackling heart valve issues, being recognized as the best Heart Valve Surgeon in Mumbai.
Call +91-8369757062 for appointments or an expert second opinion on heart valve surgery.
