Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a multifactorial chronic degenerative process in which calcium with lipid is deposited (calcified) in the annular fibrosa ring of the heart's mitral valve. MAC was first discovered and described in 1908 by M. Bonninger in the journal Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift.[1] In the majority of cases, affected patients are asymptomatic and the condition is only noted incidentally on echocardiography or computed tomography (CT) scans. However, mitral annular calcification remains clinically significant because while in many cases the calcification is limited to the annulus and proximal leaflet bases, it may also extend further into the valve structure. This may potentially cause mitral regurgitation (MR) or more rarely mitral stenosis (MS), which may produce the classic symptoms of these conditions over time.[2] In addition, calcification of the annulus can inhibit electrical conduction of the AV node, consequently causing various degrees of heart block.[3] While MAC does not usually necessitate treatment independently, the degree of calcification present in the annulus is an important factor in choosing the most appropriate treatment modality for several conditions that do require intervention, particularly those that cause symptomatic obstruction of left ventricular outflow (LVOT).[2]
Mitralannularcalcification (MAC) is a multifactorial chronic degenerative process in which calcium with lipid is deposited (calcified) in the annular...
Mitral stenosis is a valvular heart disease characterized by the narrowing of the opening of the mitral valve of the heart. It is almost always caused...
Mitral Valve Prolapse murmur at mitral area Heart sounds of a 16-year-old girl diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation. Auscultating...
properly (mitral valve stenosis) Causes of mitral valve disease include infection, calcification and inherited collagen disease. Current mitral valve replacement...
the valve (mitral regurgitation) or the mitral valve may be narrowed (mitral stenosis). Rheumatic heart disease often affects the mitral valve; the valve...
women over the age of 60, and can predispose the patient to mitralannularcalcification. Mitral valve insufficiency can lead to eccentric (volume dependent...
Mitral valve in long-axis Left atrium Measurements in this view can be used to quantify the heart: Mitral valve flow Spectral doppler of the mitral valve...
causing mitral incompetence. A new redesigned version of this valve was reintroduced in 1984. The Mitroflow valve, as first manufactured by Mitral Medical...
aortic valve repair will realistically be possible in the absence of calcification or shrinking (retraction) of the aortic valve. Thus, congenital aortic...