Medical Health Encyclopedia

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Heart, section through the middle

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Mitral regurgitation - acute

Alternative Names: Mitral insufficiency; Acute mitral regurgitation Symptoms: rapid breathing shortness of breath that increases when lying flat (orthopnea). In severe acute mitral regurgitation, shortness of breath is due the backflow of blood into the lungs. sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations) chest pain -- unrelated to coronary artery diseese or a heart attack cough Note: There may be an abrupt onset of symptoms. Signs and tests: Text Continues Below Palpation may show thrill (vibration) over the heart. A stethoscope may reveal a distinctive murmur in the heart. However, this murmur may be absent in some cases of acute mitral regurgitation. If fluid backs up into the lungs, there may be crackles heard in the lungs. Blood pressure is usually normal. Billowing of the mitral valve and/or regurgitation of blood may be seen on: echocardiogram -- an ultrasound examination of the heart color flow Doppler examination transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) cardiac catheterization A chest X-ray may also show fluid in the lungs or prominent pulmonary veins. Swan-Ganz (right heart catheterization) pressure readings will record a marked elevation of left atrial pressure. An ECG usually shows a normal sinus rhythm but may show arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) such as atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is more common in chronic mitral regurgitation, however. Other tests may include a chest MRI scan, radionuclide scans, or a CT scan of the chest.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.