Mitral regurgitation

Definition

Mitral regurgitation is a heart valve disorder in which the mitral valve does not close tightly, allowing blood to flow backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium during ventricular contraction. This condition can lead to increased pressure in the left atrium and pulmonary circulation, contributing to heart failure and various valvular disorders that affect overall heart function and hemodynamics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mitral regurgitation can be acute or chronic; acute cases are often related to conditions such as myocardial infarction, while chronic cases are typically due to degenerative changes.
2. Symptoms of mitral regurgitation can include fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, and swelling in the legs or abdomen due to fluid overload.
3. Severe mitral regurgitation can lead to pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure if not managed appropriately.
4. Management of mitral regurgitation may involve monitoring, medication for symptoms, or surgical intervention such as valve repair or replacement.
5. The severity of mitral regurgitation is graded based on the volume of backflow and its impact on cardiac function, with significant regurgitation often requiring more aggressive treatment.

Review Questions

• How does mitral regurgitation affect hemodynamics in the heart, particularly in relation to left atrial pressure?
  • Mitral regurgitation leads to backward flow of blood into the left atrium during systole, increasing pressure within this chamber. This elevated left atrial pressure can cause pulmonary congestion as blood backs up into the pulmonary circulation. Over time, this pressure can also contribute to left atrial enlargement and ultimately lead to arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation.
• What are the potential complications associated with untreated severe mitral regurgitation?
  • Untreated severe mitral regurgitation can lead to several complications, including progressive left ventricular dilation and dysfunction due to volume overload. This may ultimately result in heart failure. Additionally, chronic elevation of left atrial pressure increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, which can further complicate management and lead to thromboembolic events such as stroke.
• Evaluate the impact of echocardiography in diagnosing and managing mitral regurgitation.
  • Echocardiography plays a crucial role in diagnosing and managing mitral regurgitation by providing visualization of valve structure and function. It helps assess the severity of regurgitation by measuring parameters such as left atrial size, left ventricular function, and the effective regurgitant orifice area. This information is essential for guiding treatment decisions, including whether surgical intervention is necessary and evaluating outcomes post-procedure.

Related terms

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: A thickening of the heart's left ventricle wall, often resulting from increased workload due to conditions like mitral regurgitation.

Atrial Fibrillation: An irregular and often rapid heart rate that can occur as a result of structural changes in the heart, such as those caused by mitral regurgitation.

Echocardiography: An ultrasound-based diagnostic tool used to visualize heart structures and assess conditions like mitral regurgitation.