- 🔬Pathophysiology
- Incompetent mitral valve → systolic backflow LV→LA → LA/LV volume overload → dilation, AFib, eventual HF. Causes: MVP, ischemic papillary rupture, rheumatic, endocarditis.
- 🩺Signs & Symptoms
- Holosystolic murmur at apex radiating to axilla; dyspnea, fatigue, S3, displaced PMI. Acute (papillary rupture) → flash pulmonary edema & shock.
- 🎯Gold Standard Diagnosis
- Echocardiography (severity, mechanism, EF, LA size).
- 💊First-line Treatment
- Surgical or transcatheter repair/replacement for severe/symptomatic disease. Acute severe = surgical emergency; afterload reduction (nitroprusside) as a bridge.