Mitral stenosis or mitral valve stenosis is the most common acquired heart valve defect. This causes the valve leaflets to stick together, obstructing the flow of blood from the atrium into the left ventricle. As a result, the pressure in the left atrium and later also in the pulmonary vessels increases and the pumping capacity of the heart decreases more and more. The most common causes of mitral stenosis are endocarditis or rheumatic fever. Mitral stenosis is treated by surgical replacement of the heart valve or by dilating the narrowed valve with the help of balloon catheters (mitral valvuloplasty).
