Arcade Mitral Valve: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment
Arcade mitral valve is a congenital or acquired condition characterized by an abnormal parachute-like appearance of the mitral valve. It occurs when the chordal attachment to the papillary muscles is excessively long and thin, causing the valve leaflets to prolapse backward during systole (contraction of the heart). Causes include congenital heart defects, rheumatic fever, and infective endocarditis. Symptoms include mitral regurgitation, shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations. Diagnosis involves echocardiography, chest x-ray, and ECG. Treatment options include mitral valve repair, chordal replacement, and surgical valve replacement with a mechanical or bioprosthetic valve. Early intervention is crucial for a favorable prognosis, with regular follow-up and monitoring being essential.