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Overview of Mitral Regurgitation
The mitral valve opens to allow blood coming from the lungs into the left ventricle of the heart. When the heart beats, the mitral valve closes so that blood is directed to the body rather than back to the lungs.
When the mitral valve leaks, also called mitral regurgitation, blood is pumped back toward the lungs. This increases the pressure in the lungs leading to shortness of breath and puts extra strain on the heart.
A leaking, or regurgitant, mitral valve may be repaired through surgery or less invasively using catheter-based techniques.
In mitral regurgitation, mitral valve leaflets do not meet, allowing back flow of blood into the left atrium.
Mitral Regurgitation in Depth
Learn more about from Intermountain's Patient Education Library:
Treatments for Mitral Valve Regurgitation
Your doctor will discuss your treatment options with you. Possible treatments for mitral valve regurgitation include:
Services and Programs
Services and programs at Intermountain Heart Institute for patients with mitral regurgitation:
Research
The Heart Institute currently has one or more clinical trials that are enrolling patients with mitral regurgitation. Learn more about our clinical trials for mitral regurgitation.