The blood flow to the rest of the body is decreased because of the backflow. The heart may pump harder to try to compensate for the decreased blood flow to the body. Acute mitral regurgitation may be the result of dysfunction or injury to the valve following MI or infective endocarditis . Risk factors include an individual or family history of the above disorders. 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 . Treatment 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.