MITRAL INCOMPETENCE

Mitral incompetence may result from:

1. Structural abnormality of the mitral valve.
• If the mitral valve is abnormally formed, although blood flows from left atrium to left ventricle, the leaflets cannot close completely. This results in a jet of blood "leaking" backwards from the left ventricle to the left atrium during systole.
• This is best demonstrated on color and pulsed doppler.
2. Left ventricular dysfunction.
• Diminished left ventricular function may result in a dilated left ventricle and secondary mitral insufficiency.
• May be seen in cases of congenital cardiomyopathy.

Mitral valve regurgitation