A New Role For Aldosterone Mineralocorticoid Receptor Pathway In Mitral Valve Prolapse

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the most common cardiac valvular abnormality characterized by fibromyxomatous changes in the mitral leaflet tissue. There are currently no effective medical treatments capable of altering its course. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) reduces myocardial fibrosis in animal models of MVP. In this study we investigated the effects of aldosterone (Aldo) in valvular interstitial cells (VICs) and valvular endothelial cells (VECs) isolated from MVP patients, as well as the impact of MRA treatment in mitral valve structure and composition.