Mitral Regurgitation (MR) is one of the most prevalent valvular heart disorders, characterised by backward leakage of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole. This chronic volume overload triggers left atrial enlargement, ventricular dilation, atrial fibrillation and progressive heart failure if untreated. As mitral?valve practice evolves rapidly—with novel imaging modalities, advanced repair techniques and transcatheter therapies—clinicians and surgeons increasingly rely on high?quality learning pathways and specialised cardiology conference programmes to stay updated on state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

The session covers the full spectrum of MR, including primary (degenerative) and secondary (functional) forms. Understanding mechanism and etiology is essential for determining optimal therapy—whether surgical repair, replacement or transcatheter intervention. Attendees will examine anatomical features such as leaflet prolapse, flail segments, tethering forces, annular dilation, papillary muscle displacement and ventricular remodeling. Special attention is directed to quantifying severity using echocardiography, cardiac MRI and stress imaging to ensure accurate risk stratification.

With the emergence of transcatheter mitral interventions, treatment options have broadened significantly, particularly for patients considered high-risk for conventional surgery. The programme reviews device categories such as edge-to-edge repair systems, chordal-replacement platforms, indirect and direct annuloplasty devices and emerging mitral?valve replacement technologies. Real-world case examples demonstrate how detailed anatomical evaluation guides device selection and procedural planning.

Medical management remains essential for patients with functional MR, especially when driven by left ventricular dysfunction. The session outlines guideline-directed medical therapy, heart failure optimisation and rhythm control in atrial fibrillation. Attendees will learn how afterload reduction, diuretics, SGLT2 inhibitors and cardiac resynchronisation therapy improve symptoms and may reduce MR severity in appropriate patients.

Beyond procedural interventions, the session explores postoperative care, including anticoagulation considerations, follow-up imaging and recurrence monitoring. Participants will gain insight into how active surveillance strategies, patient education and long-term risk reduction improve outcomes and quality of life. Special focus is given to timing?of?intervention decisions, as delayed treatment may lead to irreversible myocardial damage.

Future advancements in MR therapy—such as fully percutaneous valve replacement, adaptive annuloplasty rings, imaging fusion, AI-guided quantification and personalised treatment modelling—are also discussed. These innovations continue to expand the therapeutic landscape and enable earlier, safer and more effective interventions for diverse patient populations.