Patient was educated on mitral regurgitation and its pathophysiology as follows:
- A normal functioning mitral valve closes completely, when the left ventricle contracts, allowing oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to be pumped into the aorta, to be distributed to all the vital organs in the body.
- Mitral regurgitation is an abnormal condition of incomplete closing of the mitral valve, when the left ventricle contracts. This resulting in back flow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium.
- Back flow of blood into the left atrium from the left ventricle reduces the volume of oxygenated blood pumped out into the aorta and into the general circulation.
- Reduced output of oxygenated blood from the aorta into general circulation will result in compromised blood and oxygen supply to the vital organs and consequently, affecting their function.
- Progressively, increased back-up of blood in left atrium can result in increased blood volume and pressure in the left atrium, enlargement of the left atrium, progressive weakening of the left atrial muscle, and left atrial failure.
- Over a period of time, this increased volume and pressure in the left atrium can result in increased resistance to receiving oxygenated blood from the pulmonary circuit, increased back-up of blood in pulmonary circulation, increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary edema resulting in difficulty with exchange of gases, and shortness of breath.
