SEVERE MITRAL REGURGITATION WITH EJECTION FRACTION BELOW 40-PERCENT -DRUG-TREATMENT IS THERAPY OF CHOICE

Severe chronic mitral regurgitation with severe left ventricular dysfu nction is uncommon. Mitral valve repair is not appropriate and unpredi ctable in a large proportion of these patients. Mitral valve replaceme nt results in a poor outcome for patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. Therefore, surgery is not the first therapeutic option f or this patient group. Surgery may be considered after optimal medical stabilization and extensive diagnostic evaluation for each individual patient.