Atrial fibrillation and valvular regurgitation: another example of continuum and self-perpetuation

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent arrhythmia among adults, and it is associated to a substantial risk increase of cerebrovascular events and heart failure. Among the multiple conditions related to this arrhythmia, functional mitral and/or tricuspid regurgitation, secondary to atrial fibrillation and atrial dilation, have received much less attention. Although this entity may require a different approach than the rest of the valvular diseases, international guidelines are still not clear about it. The goal of this review is to  provide a brief description of the complex pathophysiological mechanisms involved, highlighting the role of echocardiography in its diagnosis and comprehension, and emphasizing on the presence of therapeutic conundrums still unanswered.