Mitral Valve Regurgitation (MR)
In a normal heart, the mitral valve serves as a
one-way gate keeping oxygenated blood flowing in the proper direction from the
left atrium to the left ventricle. Mitral Regurgitation occurs when the mitral
valve is distorted allowing blood to flow backward from ventricle to atrium.
In CHF patients, when the heart enlarges to compensate for the disease, the fibrous tissue around the mitral valve dilates. As the tissue stretches, the valve leaflets are pulled apart and the one-way valve becomes leaky, also known as "regurgitant".
This condition contributes to the downward cycle of heart failure, by demanding more of the heart than it is able to provide.
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