The mitral valve is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. It resembles a parachute made up of leaflets that open and close with each heartbeat. When open, they allow blood to pass from the atrium into the ventricle. When closed, they prevent blood from returning to the atrium.

A healthy mitral valve pumps blood in one direction from the atrium to the ventricle, and from the ventricle to the rest of the body. If the valve becomes damaged, surgery may be necessary to ensure proper blood flow through the heart.

Mitral valve disease is often asymptomatic, but in some patients it can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, racing or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), cough or heart palpitations.

Sometimes it can be identified as being caused by one of the following conditions:

• Structural problems developed before birth called congenital valve disease
• Acquired valve disease (problems that develop over time and can involve the structure of a valve).
• Mitral valve prolapse
• Mitral stenosis
• Mitral regurgitation

There are a variety of diseases and infections that can cause acquired valve disease; two common ones are rheumatic fever (caused by an untreated bacterial infection) and endocarditis (an infection that causes deterioration or scarring of valves).

Your Inova cardiac surgeon is your best resource to determine which valve treatment is best suited to your individual situation.