SAEVA Congress 2018 Proceedings | 12-15 February 2018 | ATKV Goudini Spa
The severity of MR can be estimated from the size of the regurgitant jet area detected
with pulsed wave and color flow Doppler echocardiography. A regurgitant jet that
occupies 2/3 or more of the left atrial cavity is indicative of severe MR. A regurgitant jet
area of 1/3 - 2/3rds of the left atrial cavity is compatible with moderate MR while a
regurgitant jet area of 1/3 of the left atrium or less is consistent with mild MR. If the
regurgitant jet is detected only just dorsal to the valve leaflets it is considered clinically
insignificant. As the MR becomes more severe, there are other Doppler findings that
can be used to assess severity.
Horses with mitral valve prolapse or degenerative mitral valve disease, clinically
insignificant or mild MR, no significant left atrial or left ventricular enlargement, and
normal myocardial function have a good to excellent prognosis for life an