Observational StudyThe Effects of Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation on Cardiac Structure and Function, Symptoms, and Exercise Capacity

Current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines recommend that patients with severe degenerative mitral regurgitation be considered for mitral valve surgery. There remains a debate within the cardiology community regarding the appropriate management of patients who remain asymptomatic. In this study the investigators will perform longitudinal follow-up data with cardiac MRI to inform the prophylactic surgery vs. close follow-up debate and to better define the natural history of this condition. The investigators hypothesize, that in the majority of patients mitral regurgitation will not worsen overtime, left ventricular hemodynamics will remain stable, exercise capacity will not decline, and symptoms will not worsen during follow-up. This finding would have a significant impact on the current recommendations for treatment in patients with mitral regurgitation by supporting a conservative management approach.