Heart Disease of the Valves: The Overlooked Danger of a Regular Ailment

In a groundbreaking study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), researchers at the Division of Cardiology within the Department of Medicine II at Vienna General Hospital and MedUni Vienna have found that mitral regurgitation, a heart valve disease, has been underestimated and rarely treated in patients with chronic heart failure.

The study, with the DOI 10.1136/bmj.n1421, analysed data from over 13,000 patients who meet the criteria for heart failure and had a cardiac ultrasound scan at the Division of Cardiology at MedUni Vienna and Vienna General Hospital between 2010 and 2020. The results indicate that mitral regurgitation should not be interpreted as the progression of heart failure but as a disease in its own right, that can be treated.

Mitral regurgitation is a disease characterized by the leaking of the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle, causing blood to reflux with each heartbeat. Symptoms include increasing fatigue, shortness of breath on physical exertion, water retention in the lungs and legs, and cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. The condition is particularly dangerous and common in patients with chronic heart failure, and is associated with a significant reduction in life expectancy and frequent hospital referrals.

The study's findings provide a basis for changes in the approach to diagnosis and treatment of mitral regurgitation in patients with chronic heart failure. Treatment for mitral regurgitation can now be performed via a femoral vein, allowing for quicker recovery and shorter hospital stays. This minimally invasive procedure reduces the risk for high-risk patients.

Vienna General Hospital and MedUni Vienna are equipped to repair various heart valve leaks and constrictions, including aortic stenosis and tricuspid valve failure, using minimally invasive procedures. The hospital boasts an ultramodern hybrid operating theatre for heart valve procedures, operated in collaboration with multiple departments.

The study's results suggest that mitral regurgitation should be treated as a disease in its own right, separate from chronic heart failure. This is a significant shift in the understanding and treatment of the disease, and emphasizes the importance of ongoing research and development in minimally invasive treatment options for heart valve diseases.

The search results do not contain specific information about an Austrian clinic offering a hybrid operating theater for advanced treatments of heart valve diseases and minimally invasive valvuloplasty. However, with the revolutionary advances in treatment and the availability of state-of-the-art facilities at Vienna General Hospital/MedUni Vienna, patients can now look forward to improved outcomes and a better quality of life.

The probability of developing a heart valve defect increases with age. As life expectancy continues to rise, the number of cases of heart valve disease is expected to increase. The study's findings underscore the need for continued research and the development of new, minimally invasive treatment options to improve the lives of those affected by heart valve diseases.