Chronic mitral regurgitation leads to volume overload of the left heart, which results in dilatation (eccentric hypertrophy) of the left ventricle and atrium. When mitral regurgitation is severe, cardiac output decreases, which results in signs of left sided cardiac failure [[LCHF]] and pulmonary venous congestion. Dilatation of the left-sided chambers predisposes affected animals to [[arrhythmias]]. In some cases, malformation of the mitral valve complex causes a degree of valvular stenosis as well as insufficiency. | Chronic mitral regurgitation leads to volume overload of the left heart, which results in dilatation (eccentric hypertrophy) of the left ventricle and atrium. When mitral regurgitation is severe, cardiac output decreases, which results in signs of left sided cardiac failure [[LCHF]] and pulmonary venous congestion. Dilatation of the left-sided chambers predisposes affected animals to [[arrhythmias]]. In some cases, malformation of the mitral valve complex causes a degree of valvular stenosis as well as insufficiency. |