Systolic Expansion of the Left Auricle in Mitral Regurgitation

Abstract

CLINICALLY significant mitral stenosis is now a surgical disease; mitral regurgitation is entering a similar phase. The qualitative and quantitative appraisal of the morphologic pathology of the mitral valve, therefore, assumes new importance. Although the diagnosis of stenosis of the mitral valve is made quite readily in most cases on the basis of the characteristic murmur, with confirmatory evidence in the doubtful cases by roentgenologic studies (prominent left auricle and calcified mitral valve), the criteria for establishing a diagnosis of mitral regurgitation are not so certain. In the less common cases of pure mitral insufficiency an enlarged left auricle as . . .