Functional Mitral Regurgitation (FMR) is a progressive disease that occurs when the mitral valve annulus stretches (dilates), preventing the valve leaflets from closing (coapting) properly. This results in a portion of the blood from each left ventricular contraction to be forced back into the left atrium, resulting in ineffective ventricular perfusion, reduced cardiac output, elevated atrial pressures, and further exacerbating the patient’s overall cardiac disease.
In most patients suffering from FMR the valve leaflets are normal and not diseased.
