Mitral Regurgitation - Chronic
Alternate Names : Chronic Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Mitral Valve Insufficiency
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Diagnosis & Tests
Palpation may show thrill (vibration) over the heart. A stethoscope examination of the heart reveals a distinctive murmur. Rales (a crackly sound) or other abnormal breath sounds may be heard on lung examination. Ankle swelling, enlarged liver, distended neck veins, and other signs consistent with right-sided heart failure may be present.
An enlarged left atrium with a thickened or deformed mitral valve, and regurgitation of blood may be seen on:
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echocardiogram (an ultrasound examination of the heart)
- transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
- cardiac color-Doppler study
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- cardiac catheterization
A chest X-ray may show an enlarged left atrium. An ECG often suggests left atrial enlargement. Enlargement of the left ventricle is also a frequent finding. Other tests may include radionuclide scans or a CT scan of the chest.
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