Ischemic mitral regurgitation and its related risk after myocardial infarction.

In this issue of Circulation, Bursi et al 1 report that ischemic mitral regurgitation is a more common finding after myocardial infarction (MI) than was previously thought and is an independent predictor of heart failure and death among 30-day infarct survivors. Seldom is mitral regurgitation actively investigated, and investigation is often only prompted by clinical examination. The data Bursi et al report support findings from the 1970s, which suggested that clinical examination is not sensitive in the detection and assessment of mitral regurgitation.2 The authors conclude that Doppler echocardiographic assessment of mitral regurgitation should be actively sought and included in post-MI risk stratification.