mitral regurgitation
Backward flow of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium through an incompetent mitral valve.
Full Definition
Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a valvular heart disease characterized by the retrograde flow of blood from the left ventricle back into the left atrium during systole due to incomplete closure of the mitral valve. This can result from primary valve pathology (degenerative, rheumatic, endocarditic) or secondary causes (functional MR due to left ventricular dysfunction). Severity is graded from mild to severe using multiple echocardiographic parameters including regurgitant volume, effective regurgitant orifice area, and vena contracta width. Chronic severe MR leads to left atrial and ventricular enlargement and eventual heart failure if untreated.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as MR; distinguish between primary and secondary (functional) types.
In Context
- "Color Doppler revealed moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation with central jet." — Echocardiography report
- "The patient developed acute mitral regurgitation following inferior wall myocardial infarction." — Hospital admission note