Mitral Regurgitation - Essay Example

"Mitral Regurgitation" is a perfect example of a paper on the cardiovascular system.
Mitral regurgitation is a heart disorder caused by factors like; rheumatic fever, mitral valve prolapse, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or connective tissue disorders among other causes. It causes complications such as; pulmonary hypertension, exertional dyspnoc, pulmonary oedema, or pulmonary collapse. To address the challenges of the disorder, medical researchers and doctors recommend various treatment options (Schäfers, H. 2010). One of which is Mitral repair with the Mitraclip System.  This is purely a surgical repair approach. It is an effective method, however, the work highlights some of the gaps in the article and of the process.

Human health issues are cross-cutting among members of different social classes, some of these people have different levels of understating and knowledge about health complications. Hence, it is important to enhance public understanding of the disorder, possible causes, and symptoms. The authors failed to provide background information about the Mitral regurgitation. Instead, they opted to describe the procedure for repair. Therefore, many readers might experience challenges in comprehending the whole process. Besides, the process is performed with the patient under general anesthesia. In most cases, general anesthesia results in complications such as respiratory collapse, and gastrointestinal system disturbances like vomiting. Despite the possible challenges, the article lacks a way forward on how to manage the possible side effects.

To add, the article is imprecise about the investigation for the patient selection process. The only available information is that patients were selected based on 1998/2006 class I indications for intervention from the American College of Cardiology. Normally, patients should undergo a baseline investigation process that entails; chest x-ray, echocardiogram (ECG), cardiac catheterization, or echocardiography (Schäfers, H. 2010). The process helps to show dilated left atrium and left ventricle. This reveals the severity of mitral incompetence. Hence, it is necessary for confirming the diagnosis of Mitral regurgitation.

Another common gap in the article entails the study population. Since the study was on 55 sick persons treated in the EVERES in North America. Arguably, this procedure is unknown in many parts of the world. It is also notable that the process requires specific equipment and highly trained specialists. This makes it less applicable among the poor and especially in developing countries that lack adequate medical infrastructure and personnel. In addition, the procedure is complex, costly, and tiresome for the patients. In that, the protocol allows for a second clip placement if needed. This is complemented with a repeat of Echocardiographic and hemodynamic and assessments after clip placement. Also, patients have treated with clopidogrel 75 mg daily for 30 days and aspirin 325 mg daily for a period of 6 months.

In addition, it is important to recognize post-operative complications for every procedure. However, the article provides less information on the possible complications that patients might experience after repair with the Mitraclip System. As a matter of fact, poor handling of operation equipment and improper sterilization of the tools used can cause further infections. Therefore, the process is less safe compared to medical approaches like giving patients diuretics or anticoagulants. Furthermore, the process is midterm and there is a possibility of recurrence of MR after successful surgical repair.  This makes Mitraclip System ineffective treatment process.

In conclusion, the article provides no alternative treatment process. Further, the authors failed to give recommendations on preventive mechanisms of the disorder after a successful repair. Thereby patients can easily suffer similar complications. It is, therefore, necessary to practice regularly, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, and minimize fat and salt intake in order to stay healthy (Schäfers, H. 2010).