Mitral facies

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Mitral facies – distinctive facial appearance associated with mitral stenosis.

Mitral facies- pathology is mitral stenosis.

Mitral facies refers to rosy cheeks- bright circumscribed flush over the malar bones) with a bluish tinge.

Rose colour is because of – dilatation of malar capillaries while the bluish tinge is because of the cyanosis.

This facies is usually seen in long standing cases of severe mitral stenosis associated with pulmonary hypertension and low cardiac output.

Rosy cheeks, whilst the rest of the face has a bluish tinge due to cyanosis.

Seen in severe mitral stenosis.

Low cardiac output in mitral stenosis produces vasoconstriction, peripheral cyanosis is often seen in lips, tip of nose and cheeks.

Malar flush is a plum-red discolouration of the high cheeks.

Malar flush is classically associated with – Mitral valve stenosis

Malar flush is seen due to – vasodilation leading to vascular stasis in malar area.

Malar flush is due to the resulting CO2 retention and its vasodilatory effects.

Malar flush can also be associated with lupus, polycythemia vera and homocystinuria.

Mitral facies describes a dusky mauve flush (peripheral cyanosis) of the cheeks associated with a low cardiac output.

It is commonly seen in mitral stenosis complicated by pulmonary hypertension.