Histopathological maladaptive changes in the explanted human mitral leaflets correlate with changes in echocardiographic leaflet morphology and the severity of ischaemic mitral regurgitation.

In ischaemic MR, the thicker the cusps, the worse the MR. Leaflet thickening was due to the myxoid and fibrosis deposition and was detected by echocardiography. Therefore, this method can be helpful in the evaluation of valve remodelling.