Ischemic mitral regurgitation: recent advances.

This article reviews recent developments in the pathophysiology and management of ischemic mitral regurgitation. Recent imaging studies using three-dimensional echocardiography have added clarity to the mechanism responsible for this condition. This article also discusses recent studies on outcomes of surgical repair, including current results and potential risks of restrictive annuloplasty. Because of the limitations imposed by restrictive annuloplasty, adjunctive surgical methods focusing on the left ventricle or papillary muscles are being investigated to address this disease. In the interim, a downsized complete rigid or semirigid annuloplasty repair appears to offer good midterm outcomes.