Mitral valvular regurgitation : etiology, pathophysiologic mechanisms, clinical manifestations

The etiology of mitral valvular regurgitation (MVR) has changed in the last 40-50 years in the industrialized countries. A significant reduction in the incidence of rheumatic fever and its sequelae, increase in life expectancy, recognition of new causes of MVR, and advancement in technology are responsible for the metamorphosis of the etiology of MVR. It should be mentioned that MVR still constitutes a major health problem which will increase with the aging population. Recent advances in imaging techniques and hemodynamic studies allow clinicians to better define valvular structure and the pathophysiologic mechanisms of valvular heart disease in clinic practice. When combined with careful clinical history taking and thoughtful clinical examination, the correlation of laboratory studies with the clinical picture should permit definition of the etiology of valvular heart disease in the majority of the patients.