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Acute Mitral Incompetence - Mitral Regurgitation, Acute


Diagnosis & Tests

How is the condition diagnosed?

The diagnosis of acute mitral regurgitation begins with a medical history and physical exam. The healthcare provider can hear the sound of abnormal blood flow across the valve, which is called a heart murmur. Another sign is a vibration, called a thrill, felt on the chest.

Special tests can be done to identify the cause and severity of the regurgitation. Common tests include the following:

  • cardiac catheterization, which involves placing a wire into the heart to measure the amount of blood flowing in the wrong direction
  • chest X-ray, to look for enlargement of the heart and fluid in the lungs
  • echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound waves to look at blood flow throughout the heart
  • electrocardiogram, or ECG, which measures electrical activity in the heart

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