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Mitral Valve Regurgitation, is a medical condition, when the mitral valve doesn’t close completely or correctly.

When Regurgitation occurs, some blood flows backwards from the ventricle and into atrium.

This decreases the amount of blood that is able to flow to the rest of the body and it makes the heart work harder to keep up with the demands of the body.

Also called Mitral Regurgitation or Mitral Regurg

In normal heart function,  the mitral valve opens during contraction of the left atrium of the Heart.

As a result of the contraction, blood  flows from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

Then the blood flows from the left ventricle into the Aorta.

There are 4 main valves in the Heart:

1.)  Tricuspid Valve
2.)  Pulmonary Valve
3.)  Mitral Valve
4.)  Aortic Valve

Important notes

• Papillary muscles
• Chordae tendineae
• Leaflets are to baggy

Causes:

• Enlarged Heart (Cardiomyopathy)
• Calcification
• Rheumatic Heart Disease
• Endocarditis
• Ischemic Heart Disease
• Collagen Vascular Disease – ie Marfans Syndrome
• Valve degeneration – myxomatous

Symptoms

• Cough
• Pulmonary edema
• Fatigue
• Difficulty breathing
• Rapid breathing
• Waking up – feeling unable to catch breath
• Cardiac murmur
• Rapid heart rate
• Decreased exercise tolerance
• Atrial fibrillation

Diagnosis

• Echocardiography/Doppler is essential to confirm the diagnosis
• EKG to see Atrial fibrillation

Treatment

• Intra-Aortic Balloon
• Nitroprusside – a vasodilator
• ACE Inhibitors
• Hydralazine
• Mitral Valve surgery for repair or replacement