Secondary Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Open heart surgery has been in a continuous state of evolution since its earliest day. This book presents information on the management of secondary mitral valve regurgitation, one of most vexing problems to cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and patients. The treatment for primary mitral regurgitation is straightforward and has as its primary aim timely intervention to prevent left ventricular remodelling and left ventricular dysfunction. The management of secondary mitral regurgitation is more challenging as the mitral valve is not the primary cause of the disease. Furthermore, correcting mitral regurgitation without changing the left ventricular geometry is not guaranteed to be either beneficial or curative.

Secondary Mitral Valve Regurgitation draws together contributions from a range of experienced cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, anesthetists and scientists to provide comprehensive and authoritative coverage on anatomy, hemodynamics, mechanism, echocardiographic assessment and treatment modalities. Many of the elusive details surrounding the best management of secondary mitral regurgitation are presented in a comprehensive manner so that this book will serve as an important primary source for readers wanting information on this important topic.