What Is Mitral Regurgitation?Mitral regurgitation (MR) occurs
when the heart's mitral valve does not close completely,
allowing blood to regurgitate (or "leak") through the valve when
it should be closed. The mitral valve is the cardiac valve that
separates the left atrium from the left ventricle. When the left
atrium contracts, the mitral valve opens to allow blood to flow
into the left ventricle. When the left ventricle subsequently
contracts (to eject blood into the aorta to supply the body's
needs), the mitral valve closes, in order to prevent a backflow
of blood into the left atrium. In MR, because the valve is
"leaky," blood regurgitates back into the left atrium when the
left ventricle contracts. What Are The Causes of Mitral
Regurgitation?There are several cardiac conditions that can
produce MR. These include: - Mitral valve prolapse -
Endocarditis (infection of the heart valves) - Trauma (which can
damage the structure of the mitral valve) - Rheumatic heart
disease (which is now uncommon in developed