Progress in clinical treatment of degenerative mitral regurgitation

Abstract

With the increasing problem of aging and cardiovascular atherosclerosis in many countries, the incidence of degenerative heart valvular disease is significantly increased. Myxomatous disease(Barlow′s disease)and fibroelastic deficiency are the two dominant causes for degenerative mitral valve disease, and some other patients are mainly due to senile calcification. Surgery is the preferred treatment for those symptomatic patients with severe mitral regurgitation, while it is controversial about optimal treatment on asymptomatic patients. In recent years, minimally invasive mitral valve repair, such as percutaneous catheterization treatment, proviede a new option. This article reviews the treatment of degenerative mitral valve regurgitation disease and highlights the latest progress. Key words: Degenerative mitral regurgitation; Surgical procedures, minimally invasive; Mitral valve repair