Abstract: ObjectiveTo analyze the correlation between mitral regurgitation grading and left ventricular ejection fraction in
elderly patients (>60years of age) in a2-year follow-up. MethodsA total of455patients with the diagnosis of at least mild
mitral regurgitation by echocardiography were divided into ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) group and non-ischemic
regurgitation (NIMR) group. The patients were followed up with echocardiography every 6 months and the data were
analyzed at the end of24months.ResultsMitral regurgitation grade was inversely correlated with left ventricular ejection
fraction (LVEF). Patients with moderate and severe IMR had a lower LVEF than those with NIMR (P<0.05). After adjustment
for age, sex, body mass index, high blood pressure, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy, the mean LVEF at2years
was lowered by2.7% (1.4%-4.1% ),2.7% (1.3%-4.0% ), and5.2% (3.5%-6.9% ) in mild, moderate and severe IMR patients,
respectively (P<0.04), and by 3.2% (1.6%-4.8% ), and3.0% (1.4%-4.5% ), and1.7% (-0.5%-3.9% ) in mild, moderate and severe
NIMR patients (P=0.30). ConclusionThe mean LVEF in IMR patients is significantly lowered compared to that in NIMR
patients. The grade of mitral regurgitation is inversely correlated with the regurgitation area in IMR patients. Stratified
management might help improve LVEF in severe IMR patients.