Mitral Valve Regurgitation: Paradoxical Behavior of Dobutamine Stress Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

A 62-year-old woman with mitral regurgitation (MR) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and dobutamine stress CMR imaging, a widely used method to analyze left ventricular function and MR volumes. During dobutamine provocation at escalating doses, the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) decreased, with a corresponding decrease in MR. At peak dobutamine dose, the LVEDD further decreased, with near complete relief of MR. Upon cessation of dobutamine provocation, the MR returned to predobutamine level. This case thereby demonstrates that MR may be reversible under certain conditions.