Rheumatic Heart Disease

I am having rheumatic heart disease with mitral stenosis and atrial flutter. Doctors suggest that I consult a cardio-physician as soon as possible.

1. What are the things we have to consider in order to treat this problem?
2. If mitral valve needs to be replaced, what sort of surgery has the best post-operative success?
3. Can mitral stenosis and atrial flutter be treated with medicines only and what sort of success rates does it have?

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Ahmed,

In response to your questions:

1. What are the things we have to consider in order to treat this problem?

Much of the treatment will depend on your symptoms and the degree of impaired function of the pumping chamber of the heart.
     2. If mitral valve needs to be replaced, what sort of surgery has the best post-operative success? this depends on the exact problem with your valve and will need to be decided based on your specific anatomy.  This is best discussed with your personal cardiologist or cardiac surgeon.
     3. Can mitral stenosis and atrial flutter be treated with medicines only and what sort of success rates does it have?

It can be temporized with medicine, but eventually the maajority of people will need a surgical repair or replacement.

Atrial flutter often is the first presenting symptom of this valve disease.