Heart valves need repair or replacement for two primary reasons—stenosis and regurgitation. With stenosis, over time, valves can get calcified and encrusted in a biologic process similar to atherosclerosis. When calcium deposits obstruct the leaflets and the heart valve annulus, blood flow through the valve is reduced and cardiac output compromised.
Mitral regurgitation or (“MR”) results from blood leakage from the left ventricle into the left atrium, which occurs due to improper valve closure or valvular insufficiency. Mitral regurgitation reduces blood flow to the rest of the body, contributes to enlargement of the heart which distorts the annulus (opening) of the mitral valve, thus causing dysfunction (prolapse or lack of coaptation) of the valve’s leaflets that open and close the valve. Often this anatomical failure is a result of ischemic heart disease or heart attack, and can progress to more serious conditions, including left ventricular dysfunction and congestive heart failure (“CHF”)..
