Clinical and echocardiographic features of mild mitral valve regurgitation in 108 horses

The clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of 108 horses with echocardiographically confirmed mild mitral valve regurgitation (MR) were investigated along with its clinical progression. Follow-up consisted of a re-examination of 28 horses and questionnaires were used to obtain information on a further 43 cases. Thirty-seven horses with mild MR were lost to follow-up. Horses with mild MR were re-examined between 2 and 9 years (3.8 ± 1.8 years) following first presentation, with mild MR still present and a small, but statistically significant ( P = 0.049) increase of left ventricular diameter in end-diastole. These results suggested that mild MR has a good mid-term prognosis in sport and pleasure horses.