Mitral valve leaflet coaptation

Mitral valve leaflet coaptation describes the surface and zone where the anterior and posterior mitral valve leaflets come together (touch and overlap) during heart contraction, forming a seal (coaptation zone) that prevents blood flow back (regurgitation) from the left ventricle to the left atrium. Adequate coaptation is vital for mitral valve function; insufficient coaptation leads to mitral regurgitation—a common cause of symptoms and surgical intervention. The depth, area, and length of the coaptation region are important metrics for assessing valve competency and guiding repair techniques such as annuloplasty or device implantation. This is an anatomical and functional cardiac feature, not a protein, receptor, gene, or molecule.

Other names

Coaptation zoneLeaflet coaptationMitral leaflet apposition