Mitral valve disease

Diagnostic Evaluation

Mitral valve disease causes regurgitation that leads to left atrial and pulmonary venous congestion, producing cough and respiratory signs. Imaging is aimed at confirming regurgitation and assessing cardiac remodeling. Echocardiography is the most informative for valve morphology and flow direction, allowing quantification of chamber enlargement. Radiographs evaluate pulmonary edema and cardiomegaly but don’t define valve mechanisms. CT or MRI may be used when echocardiography is limited. Nuclear studies are not routine for diagnosis.