Akademik

failure of the mitral valve to close, allowing a reflux of blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the left atrium. It most often results from scarring of the mitral valve by rheumatic fever, but it can also develop as a complication of myocardial infarction or cardiomyopathies. It may occur as a congenital defect. Its manifestations include breathlessness, atrial fibrillation, embolism, enlargement of the left ventricle, and a systolic murmur. Mild cases are symptomless and require no treatment, but in severe cases the affected valve should be replaced with an artificial one (mitral prosthesis).