Note any history of heart valve disease or congenital heart disease before treatment by a health care provider or dentist. Any dental work, including cleaning, and any invasive procedure can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream. This bacteria can infect a damaged mitral valve causing endocarditis . Preventive treatment with antibiotics given just before dental or other invasive procedures may decrease the risk of endocarditis. There may be an abrupt onset of symptoms.
Blood pressure is usually normal.
A chest X-ray may also show fluid in the lungs or prominent pulmonary veins. Other tests may include a chest MRI scan , radionucleotide scans, or a CT scan of the chest . Hospitalization may be required for diagnosis and treatment of severe symptoms. The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms. Emergency surgery is often necessary if acute regurgitation is a result of endocarditis , MI , or ruptured cordae.