of the left atrium as the atrium becomes larger to facilitate the
increased blood volume.
Mitral valve insufficiency is often asymptomatic. Clinical signs and symptoms are general when they are present. These include exercise intolerance, heart murmur, heart palpitations and lung edema. EKG may reveal enlargement of the left atrium & hypertrophy of the left ventricle.
Diagnosis is made through auscultation and EKG.
Treatment is dependent on the severity of the symptoms. Asymptomatic individuals may require no treatment; some require vasodilators, anti-arrhythmia drugs, diuretics and anticoagulants to manage the condition.
Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency
Tricuspid valve insufficiency describes the dysfunction of the tricuspid valve. The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle, and normally functions to prevent the backflow of blood from the ventricle into the atrium. Infection, fever or parasitic damage can lead to the fibrosis of the valve flaps causing incomplete closure of the tricuspid valve. Congenital defects may also result in incomplete closure of the valve. Failure of the tricuspid valve to close fully allows the regurgitation of blood from the right ventricle into the right atrium during ventricular systole. This reduces the net stroke volume of blood delivered to the pulmonary artery, though the total stroke volume, the volume of blood pushed into the pulmonary artery plus the volume of blood pushed back into the right atrium, is increased as the right ventricle contracts more forcefully in an attempt to compensate for the valve dysfunction. The regurgitation of blood into the right atrium causes ______________ congestion as the regurgitated blood partially fills the atrium, allowing less blood to flow from the vena cava into the atrium. Cardiac congestion causes systemic edema as the return of blood to the heart is slowed. If tricuspid valve insufficiency becomes chronic the right atrium becomes in an attempt to normalize the atrial pressure and the right ventricle becomes ___________ from repeated forceful contraction. Tricuspid valve insufficiency is often asymptomatic, and clinical signs are general when they are present. Clinical signs and symptoms include exercise intolerance, heart murmur and systemic ventral edema. EKG shows enlargement of the right atrium, and hypertrophy of the right ventricle.
Diagnosis of tricuspid valve insufficiency is made through auscultation and EKG.
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