Catheter-based approach to mitral regurgitation.

Mitral Regurgitation (MR) is a common medical problem. MR is also a prognostic factor; patients with severe symptomatic MR have a poor prognosis with an annual mortality rate of 5% without surgical intervention. An anatomic understanding of the normal and regurgitant mitral valve is essential in order to evaluate appropriately the severity and impact of MR. We briefly discuss mitral complex anatomy, MR evaluation, and treatment options (surgical and catheter-based alternatives) according to the type of lesion found. In particular, our group has shown temporal percutaneous annuloplasty and definitive percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair to be a feasible technique. Recently a study evaluating endovascular mitral valve edge-to-edge repair was successfully initiated by our group. Acute and chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation and special situations, such as paravalvular leaks, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, and mixed lesions are also discussed. Future directions may include the percutaneous transcatheter implantation of a bioprosthetic valve in mitral position.