Improper closing of the mitral valve, allowing blood to flow backward through the heart
The mitral valve separates the two left chambers of the heart (the left ventricle and the left atrium) and opens and closes to move blood through the heart. Mitral regurgitation, a heart valve disease—also known as mitral insufficiency—occurs when the two leaves of the valve do not seal correctly and allow blood to flow backward through the left atrium into the lungs.
Our team in the Structural Heart and Valvular Disease Program has the expertise to treat mitral regurgitation with medication and surgery, offering the latest minimally invasive techniques. Without treatment, severe mitral regurgitation can cause arrhythmia or heart failure .
Valvular Regurgitation
A malformed or damaged valve may not close properly, allowing blood to leak backwards. This condition is called valvular regurgitation or valvular insufficiency.
What are the symptoms of mitral regurgitation?
Mitral regurgitation usually develops over a few months, and you may experience:
- Coughing
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Edema or swelling
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Palpitations, a fluttering in your chest
- Shortness of breath
What can cause mitral regurgitation?
You may be born with mitral regurgitation, or it can be the result of damage to the mitral valve or left ventricle. Some of the possible causes include:
- Chest trauma
- Medication or radiation treatment
- Rheumatic fever
Tests
Diagnosing mitral regurgitation is the first step to developing a treatment plan. Our specialists may recommend one or more diagnostic and imaging procedures.
Treatments
Our heart and vascular teams work together and with other specialties to develop and implement individualized plans to treat your unique condition. Severe mitral regurgitation may require surgical correction, such as a MitraClip™ , or other advanced treatments.
Mitral Valve Disease Treatments
Mitral valve disease treatments may include medication, minimally invasive procedures, and surgery to treat a damaged valve.
Percutaneous Valve Treatments
Percutaneous valve procedures use catheter-based methods to replace a damaged heart valve and are less invasive than traditional open-heart surgeries.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Valeriani R Bead, MD
Cardiology
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Kathryn S. Beaudoin, AGACNP-BC
Cardiology
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Elizabeth Jane Bruchey, PA
Cardiology
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Jee Young Choi, AGACNP
Cardiology
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Abigail Escalona Davenport, ACNP-BC
Cardiology
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Erika D Feller, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Stuart Gould, MD
Cardiology
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Margaret Harvey Granitto, CRNP
Cardiology
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Kristina Marie Hidalgo, ACNP-BC
Cardiology
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Wahu Kinyanjui Johnson, AGACNP-BC
Cardiology
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John J. Kennedy, MD
Cardiology
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Kenneth Mong Hung Lee, MD
Cardiology
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Margaret Ramkissoon, CRNP
Cardiology
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Joel Rosenberg, MD
Cardiology
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Virginia E. Seay, FNP-BC
Cardiology
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Jacquelyn Marie Smith, PA-C
Cardiology
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Additional information
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Ask MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute
Have general questions for our heart and vascular program? Email us at AskMHVI@medstar.net. If you have clinically-specific questions, please contact your physician’s office.