Ischemic mitral regurgitation: the way ahead is a step back

Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) has a profound negative effect on survival of patients following myocardial infarction. It occurs when the closing forces are overpowered by the tethering forces as a consequence of ventricular remodeling. Surgeons sought to correct moderate and severe IMR by mitral annuloplasty. Though short-term results were encouraging, survival after 2 years were not so. Higher recurrence rates were also noted with severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Parameters defining severity of IMR were initially formulated in 2003. These were revised enabling intervention in moderate MR in 2014. With the lack of positive medium and long-term evidence, 2017 guidelines have raised the bar, discouraging intervention in moderate IMR. Current guidelines have taken a conservative stance in advocating repair only for severe MR and very symptomatic patients. Till emergence of fresh evidence surgical enthusiasm for repair of IMR has to be restrained.