MR - Mitral Regurgitation, Chronic

How is the condition diagnosed?

Chest x-rays can reveal an enlarged left atrium and ventricle. The patterns traced during an ECG, or electrocardiogram, a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, can indicate an enlarged left atrium and strain in the left ventricle. Arrhythmias due to the enlarging atrium are common findings on an ECG.

Ultrasound tests, such as echocardiography and color Doppler studies, use sound waves to create images of organs and blood flow. These tests visualize the amount of damage to the valve and the amount of blood flowing through it. This helps a doctor decide whether the valve damage is significant. Blood clots in the atrium can be detected with a special test called transesophageal echocardiography.