I found out I have Mitral valve regurgitation back in November of 2010. It is not bad enough to require surgery yet, but, I would like to know what can cause thia problem. Can it lead to heart failure? They found out I had it after having an ECHO, several EKG's and TEE and finally a cardiac catheterization. What can be done so that it does not get worse and require repair surgery? If surgery is required, can the new kind be done where they go through the artery in the leg so you don't need to have your rib cage cracked open? If so, how successful is this? Do you then need to stay on some medication for the rest of your life or what? Please advise. A very concerned patient am I.