Mitral Regurgitation Tool
Is surgery recommended for your Mitral Valve Regurgitation? This interactive tool, based on the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association Guidelines for management of mitral valve disease will help determine if it is. The tool asks you several simple questions, considers your answers, and tells you whether you may be a candidate for surgery.
What information will you need? It will be helpful for you to have echocardiogram (echo) and ejection fraction results, but these aren't necessary.
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Sydell and Arnold Miller
Family Heart & Vascular Institute
Mitral Valve Regurgitation Tool
Thank you for completing the questionnaire in Cleveland Clinic’s Mitral Valve Regurgitation Tool.
According to the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines* and based on the answers you have provided, you may be a candidate for surgery..
Thank you for completing the questionnaire in Cleveland Clinic’s Mitral Valve Regurgitation Tool.
According to the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines* and based on the answers you have provided, surgery may not be required at this time.
Thank you for completing the questionnaire in Cleveland Clinic’s Mitral Regurgitation Tool.
Because you were unable to answer important questions, there is not enough information to determine if valve surgery is required at this time.
The following is an overview of your responses:
1. Is your mitral valve leak Severe (serious)?
- Yes - My doctor told me it was severe
- I am unsure, but I have echocardiogram results
- No
- I don’t know
2. Do you have any of these symptoms?
3. According to the results of your echocardiogram:
- Echo results state “Severe Mitral Regurgitation” or “Moderately Severe Regurgitation”
- Echo results state leak is 3+ to 4+ (moderately severe) or 4+ (severe)
- Echo results state regurgitant orifice (opening) is greater than or equal to 0.40cm2
- None of the Above
- I do not know
4. Is your heart function (ejection fraction (EF) normal?
- Yes it is normal: My ejection fraction (EF) is greater than .60 or 60% AND/OR my doctor said it was normal
- No it is not normal: My ejection fraction is less than .60 or 60% AND/OR my doctor said it was not normal (or reduced)
- I don’t know
5. Is your heart enlarged?
- Yes – Echo results state: Left ventricle end systolic diameter (LVESD) greater than 40 mm
- No – Echo results state: Left ventricle end systolic diameter is normal or less than or equal to 40 mm
- I don’t know
6. Do you have atrial fibrillation?
7. Do you have pulmonary hypertension?
Surgery is indicated when the mitral valve leak is severe and there are symptoms or changes in the heart. Surgery is also recommended in certain asymptomatic people with severe mitral regurgitation.
The results of your diagnostic tests, the structure of your heart, age, and your lifestyle will help your cardiologist, surgeon, and you decide what type of heart valve surgery procedure is best for you.
You may find the following resources helpful:
To obtain an evaluation by a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist or surgeon:
Call: 216.444.6697
Toll-free: 800.659.7822
Request an appointment online: www.clevelandclinic.org/appointments
Online Second Opinion: www.eclevelandclinic.org
*The questions asked are based on the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines for management of valve disease. The recommendation provided should not replace your doctor’s advice.
ACC/AHA Guidelines – The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association developed Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Valvular Heart Disease, based on expert analysis of outcomes data related to the risks and benefits of procedures used for the treatment of valvular heart disease. These guidelines, updated in 2008, are endorsed by the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The guidelines can be found online at content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/52/13/e1
Mitral Valve Regurgitation – Mitral Valve regurgitation, also called insufficiency, is a condition that occurs when the leaflets of the mitral valve do not close completely, letting blood leak backward across the valve.
Mitral valve leaks may or may not worsen over time so it is very important for your heart valve condition to be monitored. It is recommended to have follow-up visits with your physician at least once a year (or more frequently if recommended). See your doctor if you begin to have symptoms, or symptoms become more frequent or severe.
You may find the following resources helpful:
To obtain an evaluation by a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist or surgeon:
Call: 216.444.6697
Toll-free: 800.659.7822
Request an appointment online: www.clevelandclinic.org/appointments
Online Second Opinion: www.eclevelandclinic.org
*The questions asked are based on the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines for management of valve disease. The recommendation provided should not replace your doctor’s advice.
ACC/AHA Guidelines – The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association developed Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Valvular Heart Disease, based on expert analysis of outcomes data related to the risks and benefits of procedures used for the treatment of valvular heart disease. These guidelines, updated in 2008, are endorsed by the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The guidelines can be found online at content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/52/13/e1
Mitral Valve Regurgitation – Mitral Valve regurgitation, also called insufficiency, is a condition that occurs when the leaflets of the mitral valve do not close completely, letting blood leak backward across the valve.
Mitral valve leaks may or may not worsen over time so it is very important for your heart valve condition to be monitored. It is recommended to have follow-up visits with your physician at least once a year (or more frequently if recommended). See your doctor if you begin to have symptoms, or symptoms become more frequent or severe.
You may find the following resources helpful:
To obtain an evaluation by a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist or surgeon:
Call: 216.444.6697
Toll-free: 800.659.7822
Request an appointment online: www.clevelandclinic.org/appointments
Online Second Opinion: www.eclevelandclinic.org
*The questions asked are based on the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines for management of valve disease. The recommendation provided should not replace your doctor’s advice.
ACC/AHA Guidelines – The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association developed Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Valvular Heart Disease, based on expert analysis of outcomes data related to the risks and benefits of procedures used for the treatment of valvular heart disease. These guidelines, updated in 2008, are endorsed by the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The guidelines can be found online at content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/52/13/e1
Mitral Valve Regurgitation – Mitral Valve regurgitation, also called insufficiency, is a condition that occurs when the leaflets of the mitral valve do not close completely, letting blood leak backward across the valve.
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www.clevelandclinic.org/heart
Disclaimer: Please note that we cannot provide treatment recommendations or diagnose your condition. This Valve Surgery Tool is NOT intended to replace the medical advice, treatment or diagnosis of your physician or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This Valve Surgery Tool must be considered at all times as an educational, convenience service only and shall not be relied upon nor designed to replace or substitute a physician's independent judgment about the appropriateness or risks of a procedure for a given patient. Cleveland Clinic does not endorse, guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of this service. Cleveland Clinic does not guarantee the availability or ability to use this service. Please check the Box if you agree to these terms
ACC/AHA Guidelines: The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association developed Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Valvular Heart Disease, based on expert analysis of outcomes data related to the risks and benefits of procedures used for the treatment of valvular heart disease. These guidelines, updated in 2008, are also endorsed by the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The guidelines can be found online at Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Mitral Regurgitation: Mitral regurgitation, also called mitral insufficiency is a condition that occurs when the leaflets of the mitral valve do not close completely, letting blood leak backward across the valve. Learn more about heart valve disease.