Quantitative Determinants of the Outcome of Asymptomatic Mitral Regurgitation

The clinical outcome of asymptomatic mitral regurgitation is poorly defined, and the treatment is uncertain. We studied the effect on the outcome of quantifying mitral regurgitation according to recent guidelines.

We prospectively enrolled 456 patients (mean [+/-SD] age, 63+/-14 years; 63 percent men; ejection fraction, 70+/-8 percent) with asymptomatic organic mitral regurgitation, quantified according to current recommendations (regurgitant volume, 66+/-40 ml per beat; effective regurgitant orifice, 40+/-27 mm2).