What Is Valvular Regurgitation?
When the valves of the heart don't close properly, blood can leak back into the atrium of the heart from the ventricles. This is called valvular regurgitation. If left untreated, it can lead to heart damage.
Transcript: What Is Valvular Regurgitation?
What Is Valvular Regurgitation?
The heart is a beating muscle that pumps blood throughout the body. Inside the heart, four valves open and shut in a precise sequence to keep the blood moving in the right direction. A malformed or damaged valve may not close properly, allowing blood to leak backwards. This condition is called valvular regurgitation, or valvular insufficiency.Valves in a Healthy Heart
In a healthy heart, two valves control the flow of blood from the upper chambers, or atria, to the lower chambers, or ventricles. Two other valves control blood flow from the ventricles to the lungs and body.How Blood Moves Through the Heart
Oxygen-rich blood moves from the left atria to the left ventricle through the mitral valve. The ventricle pumps the blood through the aortic valve to be distributed throughout the body. Oxygen-poor blood moves from the right atria to the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve, and is pumped through the pulmonic valve on its way to the lungs to pick up oxygen.What Is the Function of the Chordae Tendineae?
The two atrioventricular valves, the mitral valve, and the tricuspid valve, are connected to the ventricle by thin, fibrous strands called chordae tendineae open and close the flaps, or cusps, of each valve. The chordae tendineae are anchored within the ventricles. When the ventricles contract, the chordae pull the cusps of the mitral and tricuspid valves shut.When There's Not Tension on the Chordae Tendineae
If there is not enough tension on the chordae tendineae, the cusps may not close properly and blood may leak backwards, or regurgitate. In this example, the cusps of the mitral valve are prolapsing, or failing to close properly. Blood is leaking back into the left atrium from the ventricle.When Valves Don't Close Properly
The valves of the lower two chambers, the pulmonic and aortic valves, open and close by a different mechanism. These valves do not contain chordae tendinae, but instead open and close due to the changes in pressure from the contractions of the atria and ventricles. Still, disease or damage can affect the tight seal of the valve cusps, making the valve unable to close properly, causing blood leakage.Risks of Valvular Regurgitation
Because blood is leaking in side the heart, less oxygen-rich blood is circulating throughout the body, causing the heart to work. If not treated, valvular regurgitation can lead to heart damage or further valve damage.Copyrighted animations provided by Blausen Medical.>