Does Sustained Reduction of Functional Mitral Regurgitation Impact Survival?

Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is associated with increased mortality and has been considered a marker for advanced heart disease.1 In heart failure, the combination of myocardial thinning and dilation, widening of the interpapillary distance, and leaflet tethering combine to result in loss of the zone of coaptation and central mitral regurgitation. In ischemic mitral regurgitation, the infarcted tissue forms a scar and leads to asymmetric wall thinning, papillary muscle contraction, and leaflet tethering, which alters the zone of coaptation and results in eccentric mitral regurgitation (Fig.
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Tags: ADULT – Original Submission Source Type: research