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Mitral regurgitation - chronic
Alternative Names: Chronic mitral valve regurgitation; Mitral valve insufficiency Symptoms: fatigue, exhaustion, and light-headedness (may result from low cardiac output) palpitations (related to atrial fibrillation) cough shortness of breath with exertion (exertional dyspnea) when lying down (orthopnea) Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease: urination, excessive at night Note: Often no symptoms are present. When symptoms occur, they often develop gradually. Signs and tests: Text Continues Below Palpation may show thrill (vibration) over the heart. A stethoscope examination of the heart reveals a distinctive murmur. Rales (a crackly sound) or other abnormal breath sounds may be heard on lung examination. Ankle swelling, enlarged liver, distended neck veins, and other signs consistent with right-sided heart failure may be present. An enlarged left atrium with a thickened or deformed mitral valve, and regurgitation of blood may be seen on: echocardiogram (an ultrasound examination of the heart) transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) cardiac color-Doppler study magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cardiac catheterization A chest X-ray may show an enlarged left atrium. An ECG often suggests left atrial enlargement. Enlargement of the left ventricle is also a frequent finding. Other tests may include radionuclide scans or a CT scan of the chest. Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>