Pathological condition characterized by the backflow of blood from the ascending aorta back into the left ventricle, leading to regurgitation. It is caused by diseases of the aortic valve or its surrounding tissue (aortic root).

Downward displacement of any one of the heart valves from its normal position. This usually results in failed valve closure.

A pathological constriction that can occur above (supravalvular stenosis), below (subvalvular stenosis), or at the aortic valve. It is characterized by restricted outflow from the left ventricle into the aorta.

A pathological constriction occurring in the region below the aortic valve. It is characterized by restricted outflow from the left ventricle into the aorta.

A pathological constriction occurring in the region above the aortic valve. It is characterized by restricted outflow from the left ventricle into the aorta.

The downward displacement of the cuspal or pointed end of the trileaflet aortic valve causing misalignment of the cusps. Severe valve distortion can cause leakage and allow the backflow of blood from the ascending aorta back into the left ventricle, leading to aortic regurgitation.

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a condition in which the heart’s mitral valve doesn’t work well. The flaps of the valve are “floppy” and may not close tightly. These flaps normally help seal or open the valve.

Much of the time, MVP doesn’t cause any problems. Rarely, blood can leak the wrong way through the floppy valve. This can lead to palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, and other symptoms. (Palpitations are feelings that your heart is skipping a beat, fluttering, or beating too hard or too fast.)

Normal Mitral Valve

The mitral valve controls blood flow between the upper and lower chambers of the left side of the heart. The upper chamber is called the left atrium. The lower chamber is called the left ventricle.

The mitral valve allows blood to flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle, but not back the other way. The heart also has a right atrium and ventricle, separated by the tricuspid valve.

With each heartbeat, the atria contract and push blood into the ventricles. The flaps of the mitral and tricuspid valves open to let blood through. Then, the ventricles contract to pump the blood out of the heart.

When the ventricles contract, the flaps of the mitral and tricuspid valves close. They form a tight seal that prevents blood from flowing back into the atria.

Mitral Valve Prolapse

In MVP, when the left ventricle contracts, one or both flaps of the mitral valve flop or bulge back (prolapse) into the left atrium. This can prevent the valve from forming a tight seal. As a result, blood may leak from the ventricle back into the atrium. The backflow of blood is called regurgitation.

MVP doesn’t always cause backflow. In fact, most people who have MVP don’t have backflow and never have any related symptoms or problems. When backflow occurs, it can get worse over time and it can change the heart’s size and raise pressure in the left atrium and lungs. Backflow also raises the risk of heart valve infections.

Medicines can treat troublesome MVP symptoms and help prevent complications. Some people will need surgery to repair or replace their mitral valves.

Mitral Valve Prolapse

Figure A shows a normal mitral valve. The valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle. Figure B shows a heart with mitral valve prolapse. Figure C shows a closeup view of mitral valve prolapse. Figure D shows a mitral valve that allows blood to flow back into the left atrium.

Abnormal protrusion of one or more of the leaflets of tricuspid valve into the right atrium during systole. This allows the backflow of blood into right atrium leading to tricuspid valve insufficiency; Systolic murmurs. Its most common cause is not primary valve abnormality but rather the dilation of the right ventricle and the tricuspid annulus.

Backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium due to imperfect closure of the mitral valve. This can lead to mitral valve regurgitation.

Narrowing of the passage through the mitral valve due to fibrosis, and calcinosis in the leaflets and chordal areas. This elevates the left atrial pressure which, in turn, raises pulmonary venous and capillary pressure leading to bouts of dyspnea and tachycardia during physical exertion. Rheumatic fever is its primary cause.

A congenital heart defect characterized by the narrowing or complete absence of the opening between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. Lacking a normal pulmonary valve, unoxygenated blood in the right ventricle can not be effectively pumped into the lung for oxygenation. Clinical features include rapid breathing, cyanosis, right ventricle atrophy, and abnormal heart sounds (heart murmurs).

Backflow of blood from the pulmonary artery into the right ventricle due to imperfect closure of the pulmonary valve.

The pathologic narrowing of the orifice of the pulmonary valve. This lesion restricts blood outflow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. When the trileaflet valve is fused into an imperforate membrane, the blockage is complete.

LEOPARD syndrome is an inherited condition characterized by abnormalities of the skin, heart, inner ears, and genitalia. The acronym LEOPARD describes the features of the syndrome:
(L)entigines - dark spots on the skin
(E)lectrocardiographic conduction defects - abnormalities of the electrical activity of the heart
(O)cular hypertelorism - widely spaced eyes
(P)ulmonary stenosis - obstruction of the normal outflow of blood from the right ventricle of the heart
(A)bnormalities of the genitalia
(R)etarded (slowed) growth resulting in short stature
(D)eafness

There are 3 types of LEOPARD syndrome, which are distinguished by their genetic cause. Type 1 is caused by mutations in the PTPN11 gene; type 2 is caused by mutations in the RAF1 gene; and type 3 is caused by mutations in the BRAF gene. Other cases are caused by mutations in the MAP2K1 gene, and in some cases the cause is unknown. LEOPARD syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. It can be inherited from an affected parent, or it can be due to a new mutation in a person with no family history of the condition.

Leopard syndrome belongs to a group of related conditions called the RASopathies. These conditions have some overlapping features and are all caused by genetic changes that disrupt the body's RAS pathway, affecting growth and development.

Absence of the orifice between the right atrium and right ventricle, with the presence of an atrial defect through which all the systemic venous return reaches the left heart. As a result, there is left ventricular hypertrophy (hypertrophy, left ventricular) because the right ventricle is absent or not functional.

Backflow of blood from the right ventricle into the right atrium due to imperfect closure of the tricuspid valve.

The pathologic narrowing of the orifice of the tricuspid valve. This hinders the emptying of right atrium leading to elevated right atrial pressure and systemic venous congestion. Tricuspid valve stenosis is almost always due to rheumatic fever.