50% Of Eligible Patients Do Not Get Mitral Regurgitation Treatment
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009The University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center just released a rather troubling study about patients who areĀ diagnosed with mitral regurgitation and do not receive surgical treatment. I guess this is one more reason why second opinions are so valuable. Here are the details:
Overblown fears about (i) surgical risk and (ii) lack of awareness about the risk of not operating are among the reasons only half of eligible patients were referred for mitral valve repair, according to a study by doctors at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center.

Mitral Valve Repair (Annuloplasty)
A leaking mitral valve, known as mitral regurgitation or mitral insufficiency, can lead to fatigue, abnormal heart rhythms with irregular heart beats, and congestive heart failure. The longer the leak continues, the more likely there will be permanent heart damage.







