Mitral facies

Mitral facies refers to a distinctive facial appearance associated with mitral stenosis.

Someone with mitral stenosis may present with rosy cheeks, whilst the rest of the face has a bluish tinge due to cyanosis. This is especially so in severe mitral stenosis. It is due to low cardiac output, and therefore low perfusion of the facial skin, caused by the stenosis.This causes cutaneous vasodilation due to release of vasodilator substances by skin tissue seen as a plum colored Malar flush