[Skip to content](https://www.ekohealth.com/blogs/clinical-education/mitral-regurgitation#MainContent)

[$75 off the Rose Gold CORE 500™](https://www.ekohealth.com/pages/rose-gold)

[New EFAST AI model with structural murmur detection](https://www.ekohealth.com/pages/efast-cardiac-ai-model)

[Use your HSA/FSA funds on Eko](https://www.ekohealth.com/pages/hsa-fsa-stethoscopes)

Posted in [**Clinical Education**](https://www.ekohealth.com/blogs/clinical-education)

February 12, 2021

Learn the basics of mitral regurgitation (MR), a condition in which the mitral valve does not close properly.

* * *

#### Overview

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a condition in which the mitral valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole. MR is predominantly caused by degenerative disease in developed countries and rheumatic fever in developing countries. MR occurs due to an abnormality in the valve apparatus involving  the leaflets, chordae tendineae, papillary muscles or the annulus. It is the most common valvular heart disease, and if severe and left untreated, can cause complications such as arrhythmias and heart failure.

#### Pathophysiology

In the acute phase of mitral regurgitation (MR), the stroke volume of the left ventricle is increased to support the volume overload from the blood that is regurgitated into the left atrium. The regurgitant volume causes a pressure overload which inhibits the drainage of the blood from the lungs, leading to pulmonary congestion. Over time, the increased blood volume within the left atrium and increased preload to the left ventricle eventually causes the heart to undergo remodeling, leading to dilatation and decreased contractility, resulting in a reduced ejection fraction.

#### Audio

A high-pitched, holosystolic murmur heard best at the cardiac apex auscultation location when the patient is supine. MR with predominantly anterior leaflet involvement may radiate to the axilla or the back. Alternatively, MR with posterior leaflet involvement may cause anterior radiation to the sternum or the base of the heart. A soft S1 and apical S3 is also commonly heard.

#### ECG

There are no specific ECG changes for mitral regurgitation. In chronic MR, broadening of the P waves may be seen on the ECG due to left atrial enlargement.

#### Actual recording

This sound was recorded using a [stethoscope](https://shop.ekohealth.com/ "Shop Eko stethoscopes") powered by Eko technology.

Eko Dashboard

## Aug 24, 2022, 2:41 am

Download PDF

* * *

0.00 / 12.08

* * *

\-\- BPM

A circle containing a triangle inside of it, pointing to the rightPlay

View Details

##### **Medical Advice Disclaimer**

DISCLAIMER: THE CONTENT SET FORTH HEREIN DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE OR IS AN ATTEMPT TO PRACTICE MEDICINE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this website or document are intended to be a substitute for professional medical education, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

[Heart Facts](https://www.ekohealth.com/blogs/clinical-education/tagged/heart-facts)

- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Opens in a new window.

shop.app

# shop.app is blocked

This page has been blocked by an extension

- Try disabling your extensions.

ERR\_BLOCKED\_BY\_CLIENT

Reload

This page has been blocked by an extension

www.ekohealth.com

# www.ekohealth.com is blocked

This page has been blocked by an extension

- Try disabling your extensions.

ERR\_BLOCKED\_BY\_CLIENT

Reload

This page has been blocked by an extension

www.ekohealth.com

# www.ekohealth.com is blocked

This page has been blocked by an extension

- Try disabling your extensions.

ERR\_BLOCKED\_BY\_CLIENT

Reload

This page has been blocked by an extension

www.ekohealth.com

# www.ekohealth.com is blocked

This page has been blocked by an extension

- Try disabling your extensions.

ERR\_BLOCKED\_BY\_CLIENT

Reload

This page has been blocked by an extension

www.ekohealth.com

# www.ekohealth.com is blocked

This page has been blocked by an extension

- Try disabling your extensions.

ERR\_BLOCKED\_BY\_CLIENT

Reload

This page has been blocked by an extension