Degenerative Mitral Stenosis: A Case-Based Review

Due to improvements in living conditions, greater access to health care, and the widespread availability of antimicrobials, the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease has declined significantly in the developed countries.1 Additionally, with increasing life expectancy, age-related or degenerative forms of valvular disease have become increasingly prevalent. This includes mitral annular calcification (MAC) and degenerative mitral stenosis (DMS). Mitral annular calcification results from progressive calcification of the fibrous mitral annulus (particularly the posterior annulus).