Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
An Image Guided Transapical Mitral Valve Leaflet Puncture Model of Controlled Volume Overload from Mitral Regurgitation in the Rat
Published on: May 19, 2020
Etiologic spectrum and clinical features of mitral regurgitation in a Spanish population
Francisco Toledano1, Manuel Crespín, Martín Ruíz Ortiz
1Department of Cardiology, Reina Sofia Hospital, Córdoba, Spain. franciscotoledan@gmail.com
Background And Aim Of The Study:
The study aim was to investigate the etiologic spectrum of at least moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients at a tertiary care center in a Spanish region.
Methods:
All patients referred for echocardiography with moderate or severe MR, assessed according to the guidelines of the American Society of Echocardiography, were included prospectively in the study.
Results:
Between October 2006 and February 2008, a total of 276 patients (157 females, 119 males; mean age 61 +/- 20 years) were enrolled into the study. At the time of evaluation, 67% of the patients were outpatients and the remainder were hospitalized. The NYHA functional class was III-IV in 31% of patients. The main echocardiographic data were: color flow jet area 11 +/- 5 cm2, vena contracta 6.7 +/- 1.9 mm, effective regurgitant orifice area 0.46 +/- 0.28 cm2, left ventricular diastolic and systolic diameters 58 +/- 10 mm and 39 +/- 12 mm, respectively, left ventricular ejection fraction 0.55 +/- 0.19, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure 39 +/- 16 mmHg. The MR was degenerative in 42% of patients, rheumatic in 22%, functional due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in 18%, functional due to ischemic cardiomyopathy in 7%, congenital in 7%, and had other causes in 4%.
Conclusion:
Among this Spanish population, the majority of the moderate or severe MR encountered was organic, with degenerative mitral disease as the most common etiology. Functional regurgitation was present in a significant proportion of patients, with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy being the most frequent cause.
Insights
Degenerative mitral disease is the most common cause of moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in Spain. Functional MR, often linked to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, is also significant.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Echocardiography
- Valvular Heart Disease
Background:
- Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a significant valvular heart disease.
- Understanding the etiologic spectrum of MR is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causes of moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in a Spanish population.
- To determine the prevalence of different etiologies of MR in a tertiary care setting.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 276 patients with moderate or severe MR undergoing echocardiography.
- Echocardiographic parameters assessed included color flow jet area, vena contracta, and effective regurgitant orifice area.
Main Results:
- Degenerative mitral disease was the most common cause (42%).
- Rheumatic heart disease (22%) and functional MR (25%) were also significant etiologies.
- Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy was the leading cause of functional MR (18%).
Conclusions:
- Degenerative mitral disease is the primary cause of moderate to severe MR in this Spanish cohort.
- Functional MR, particularly related to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, represents a substantial proportion of cases.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Mitral Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
01:20Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
01:23Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
01:25Mitral Regurgitation III: Medical Management
01:22Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
01:28Mitral Regurgitation IV: Nursing Management