Treatment for mitral valve abnormalities depends on the type of problem and how it affects your child.
Mitral Valve Abnormality Treatment Options
Mitral valve prolapse
Most children with mitral valve prolapse don't need treatment because their valve causes no symptoms or problems. If they do have symptoms, like palpitations or chest pain, they may need medicine to relieve these.
In uncommon cases, when a prolapsed valve causes major regurgitation, a child may need surgery to repair or replace the valve.
Mitral valve regurgitation
Depending on how severe it is, this valve problem may be treated with medicine that helps the left ventricle pump better so less blood leaks back into the left atrium (one of the atria). If medicine does not help enough, your child may need surgery to repair or replace their mitral valve.
Mitral valve regurgitation may lead to an arrhythmia. If this happens, your child may need medicines that help control their heartbeat.
Mitral valve stenosis
If mitral valve stenosis is not treated, blood pressure in the lungs may get too high. This is called pulmonary hypertension. It can cause permanent damage to the lungs and the heart, including heart failure.
To prevent damage, some children can have a balloon procedure to open their mitral valve. This is done in the catheterization lab. A balloon is inserted in the valve. When the balloon is inflated, the valve is stretched open. Then the balloon is removed. This is called balloon valvuloplasty.
Some children may need surgery to replace their mitral valve.