Mitral Regurgitation

Mitral Regurgitation

Obtain apical 4 view (see LV fxn slide) with straight septum.
Turn on color doppler. Arrange box to fill left atrium + extend past the mitral valve.
Freeze image.
Assessment:
- Likely Mild MR: Jet < 20% of left atrium area
- Likely Moderate MR: Jet 20-40% of LA
- Likely Severe (central) MR: Jet > 40% of LA area
- Likely Severe (eccentric) MR: jet swirls around entire LA (hits back wall + wraps around perimeter)

Note: The video shown here has no mitral regurgitation. See how during ventricular systole there is no flow into the LA!