Mitral stenosis is a narrowing of the inlet valve into the left ventricle that prevents proper opening during diastolic filling of the heart. Rheumatic fever is the commonest cause of mitral stenosis. Breathlessness on exertion, cough, wheezing, chest pain, hemoptysis and symptoms of left heart failure are commonly seen in mitral stenosis. Symptoms typically start about 20 to 40 years after the initial episode of rheumatic fever, the incidence of which is not recollected by a majority of the patients.
The Ayurvedic treatment of mitral stenosis is aimed at controlling symptoms, preventing or slowing down disease progression and treating complications. Medicines like Shwas-Kuthar-Ras, Sitopaladi-Churna, Talisadi-Churna, Gojivhadi-Qadha, Ras-Sindur, Malla-Sindur, Sameer-Pannag-Ras, Som (Ephedra vulgaris), Kantakari (Solanum Xanthocarpum), Bruhat-Kantakari (Solanum indicum), Karkatashrungi (Pistishia integerima), Kulingan (Alpimia galangal), Dhatura (Dhatura fastuosa), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Pippali (Piper longum), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa) and Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa) are used to treat breathlessness, cough and wheezing. Chest pain and heart failure can be treated using medicines like Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma, Bruhat-Vat-Chintamani, Maha-Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Arjunarishta, Drakshasav, Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Lashuna (Allium sativum), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) and Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa). Hemoptysis can be treated using medicines like Kamdudha-Ras, Chandrakala-Ras, Vasa (Adhatoda vasaka) and Naagkeshar (Messua ferrea). Anemia can be treated using medicines like Punarnavadi-Mandur and Lohasav.
To prevent or retard disease progression, medicines are used which act directly on the mitral valve and the heart-muscle tendons attached to it. These medicines include Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Trayodashang-Guggulu, Laxadi-Guggulu, Shrung-Bhasma, Ras-Sindur, Asthishrunkhala (Cissus quadrangularis), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Draksha (Vitis vinifera) and Nimba (Azadirachta indica). In addition, medicines like Suvarna-Bhasma, Abhrak-Bhasma and Suvarna-Malini-Vasant are given in minute doses to improve the therapeutic response of other medicines and prevent further damage to the mitral valve.
Another important aspect of treatment is to prevent the complications of mitral stenosis, which include atrial fibrillation, systemic embolism and infective endocarditis. Medicines which can be used for this purpose are: Sukshma-Triphala, Triphala-Guggulu, Amalaki, Trikatu (Three pungent herbs), Kutki, Vish-Tinduk-Vati, Praval- Bhasma, Praval-Panchamrut and Laxmi-Vilas-Ras.
Surgical intervention is required for patients with severe mitral stenosis who do not benefit from medications. Pulmonary embolism is one of the potentially serious complications of mitral stenosis. All patients with mitral stenosis should be under the regular care and supervision of a Cardiologist.