Anatomy and Function of the Normal and Diseased Mitral Apparatus: Implications for Transcatheter Therapy.

Transcatheter mitral valve therapy requires an in-depth understanding of the mitral valve apparatus (annulus, leaflets, chordae tendinae, and papillary muscles) and the impact of various disease states. Adjacent structures (left atrium, left ventricular outflow tract, aortic valve, coronary sinus, and circumflex artery) must also be respected. This article reviews the anatomy and function of the normal and diseased mitral valve apparatus and the implications for catheter-based intervention.