ABSTRACT
Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is common among the 22 million people worldwide who suffer from heart failure.1,2 Of patients with a dilated cardiomyopathy and New York Heart Class III-IV, approximately 90% have some degree of FMR.3,4
The efficiency of the ventricle is compromised by the development of FMR.5 In patients with advanced heart failure, FMR increases the hemodynamic stress on the failing left ventricle (LV), resulting in progressive left ventricular dilation, progressive systolic dysfunction, higher left ventricular end diastolic pressure, and higher pulmonary capillary wedge pressure.6
