Echocardiography: Afterload Reduction Therapy in Asymptomatic Patients with Chronic Mitral Regurgitation

Cardiac Imaging Research

Study of:
ramipril (Altace) drug

This study is designed to determine if the medication ramipril (Altace) can slow or prevent worsening of heart function due to mitral regurgitation and possibly reduce the need for mitral valve surgery.

Patients will have an exercise stress echocardiogram and a blood draw for electrolytes and neurohormone levels prior to starting on the medication ramipril. In about four weeks the patient will return for a blood draw and resting echocardiogram. We will repeat the blood draw and exercise stress echocardiogram at six months.

Principal Investigator

Kevin M. Harris, MD, FACC, FASE

For more information about this study or other research studies at the Minneapolis Heart Institute and Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, please contact Betsy Wilson at 612-863-7065.