[Mitral Valve Replacement for Eclipsed Mitral Regurgitation with Multiple Episodes of Acute Exacerbation and Remission].

Eclipsed mitral regurgitation is a relatively new disease concept reported in recent years, of which is not fully elucidated. A 73-year-old female had repeated episodes of heart failure of unknown cause. During cardiac catheterization and echocardiography performed, mitral regurgitation suddenly worsened and improved in a few minutes. The patient was diagnosed as having eclipsed mitral regurgitation with multiple episodes of acute exacerbation and remission. Although mechanism of exacerbation remains unclear, morphological change of the left ventricle is likely to be a major cause, and mitral valve replacement seems better than plasty for prevention of recurrent heart failure. The patient underwent valve replacement using a bioprothesis and was discharged from the hospital on her own 24 days after surgery. Six months after the operation, she has been doing well without recurrence of heart failure.