Which pharmaceutical therapy is commonly used for mitral regurgitation?

In the management of mitral regurgitation, beta blockers play a significant role, particularly when the condition is associated with left ventricular dysfunction or when there are symptoms of heart failure. These medications can assist in reducing the heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand, leading to improved cardiac efficiency. By doing so, beta blockers help alleviate symptoms and improve the functional capacity of patients with mitral regurgitation.

While diuretics are commonly used to manage fluid overload in patients with heart failure associated with mitral regurgitation, they do not directly address the underlying mechanical problem of the regurgitation itself. Anticoagulants may be indicated in patients at risk of thromboembolism, particularly in cases such as atrial fibrillation that can accompany mitral regurgitation, but they do not treat the regurgitant flow. Corticosteroids are not typically used in the management of mitral regurgitation and have limited applicability in this context. Thus, beta blockers are the most relevant pharmaceutical therapy associated with the management of mitral regurgitation, primarily for their impact on heart rate and myocardial workload.