Conservative Treatment of Mitral Valve Stenosis
In patients with heart failure doctors follow the New York Heart Association classification to establish the best treatment method. Patients are classified in four categories depending on their symptoms with exertion. Intervention is determined based on the severity of Mitral Stenosis.
Usually patients with mild symptoms are closely monitored by regular follow up doctor visits and periodic echocardiogram. No interventional treatments are advised to them at this stage. Medications can be given to reduce symptoms, but it does not cure mitral stenosis. The disease may worsen in 10 years or take up to 40 years to progress.
When the mitral valve gets diseased, the heart pumps harder to cope up with the needs of the body. This puts a constant strain on the heart and will lead to heart failure. Medication will help to make the heart beat harder and regulate the heartbeat [beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers] . Diuretics or water-pills will be given in case of heart failure. Digitalis helps the workload of the heart. ACE inhibitors reduce the blood pressure and also lessen the workload of the heart.
Antibiotics are recommended before any surgical or dental procedures. This prevents the patient from developing endocarditis [inflammation of the heart wall and valves due to infection].
