Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation: From Echo Assessment to Surgical Strategy and Techniques

Ischemic mitral regurgitation remains an underestimated and important clinical problem. It is a complex multifactorial disease that involves global and regional left ventricular remodel‐ ing as well as dysfunction and distortion of the components of the mitral valve including the chordae, annulus and leaflets. The prevalence rate of development of mild or more severe degree of mitral insufficiency after myocardial infarction has been estimated to be up to 50% and is associated with worse prognosis (Stevenson 1987, Lamas 1997, Grigioni 2001).