Massad, Faysal

Background The natural history of asymptomatic moderate or severe aortic regurgitation (AR) remains uncertain, with conflicting reports about its progression and surgical timing. We aimed to quantify adverse outcomes under conservative management and evaluate the association of aortic valve replacement/repair (AVR) with mortality. Methods Systematic searches (inception–July 2025) identified cohort studies of asymptomatic moderate/severe AR. Random-effects models estimated pooled incidence rates of adverse events; fixed-effects models were used for hazard ratios (HRs) of AVR vs conservative management. Results Twenty-seven studies (4720 patients; mean age 49 years; mean follow-up 3.9 years) were included. Pooled incidence rates per 100 person-years were 1.75 (95% CI 1.27 to 2.41) for all-cause mortality, 1.29 for cardiac death, 0.29 for sudden death, 4.30 for new symptoms and 7.01 for AVR. Asymptomatic low left ventricular ejection fraction occurred in only 0.9 per 100 person-years. Mortality rates were more than double those of the general population across age groups—2.45 (1.90 to 3.18) per 100 person-years for cohorts with mean age ≥50 years versus 0.59 (0.29 to 1.21) for younger cohorts. Early AVR was associated with lower mortality (pooled HR 0.33; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.37). Conclusion Asymptomatic moderate/severe AR carries significant excess mortality irrespective of age, contradicting its historically benign reputation. Given the rarity of asymptomatic LV dysfunction, earlier intervention guided by more sensitive markers of LV damage may improve outcomes, although heterogeneity and study quality warrant cautious interpretation. PROSPERO registration number CRD42024522683.

ABSTRACT Background Incident atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) is associated with mortality. Transcatheter edge‐to‐edge repair (TEER) has shown effectiveness in improving MR and symptoms in AFMR, but previous studies lacked comparison to conservative management. We aimed to study the association of AFMR severity and mitral TEER with symptoms, heart failure hospitalizations (HFH) and all‐cause mortality in moderate/severe AFMR. Methods Consecutive adults with moderate/severe AFMR managed conservatively or with TEER 2010−2023 were identified retrospectively. To ensure similar technique in evaluation in the two groups, variables were obtained from the closest transthoracic echocardiogram before TEER in the TEER group. In addition to multivariable analysis, the association of TEER (vs. conservative management) with HFH and mortality was assessed using propensity‐score matched analyses; the propensity score was based on age, sex, EuroSCORE II, effective regurgitant orifice area, integrative MR severity, and NYHA class III/IV (vs. I/II). Results Among 230 patients with moderate/severe AFMR [mean age 77; 56% females], 46 were managed with TEER. Severe (vs. moderate) AFMR was independently associated with baseline NYHA class III/IV (multivariable OR 2.18 [95% CI 1.13−4.26]) and HFH [multivariable HR 2.75 (95% CI 1.25−6.03)] but not mortality ( p = 0.26). TEER improved MR to ≤ moderate in 93% but was not associated with lower HFH or death rates versus conservative management on multivariable or matched analysis. However, 1‐year NYHA improved more with TEER versus conservative management in patients with baseline NYHA class III/IV (62% vs. 27%, p = 0.03). Rhythm control was associated with improved survival (HR 0.38 [0.15−0.98]). Conclusions AFMR severity was associated with symptoms and HFH but not mortality. MR severity and NYHA class improved with TEER, but the association of TEER with HF hospitalizations or death remains unproven. Randomized studies are needed to evaluate the potential role of TEER and rhythm control on outcomes in AFMR.

Background: Atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) constitutes ~25% of ≥moderate MR and has been associated with a high prevalence and incidence of HFpEF. Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) has shown effectiveness in improving symptoms in AFMR, but its impact on mortality and HF hospitalizations is unknown. Objective: Evaluate rates of mortality and HF hospitalizations in patients with ≥moderate AFMR treated with TEER and compare them to conservative management. Methods: Consecutive adults with ≥moderate AFMR (functional MR with left atrial enlargement, ejection fraction≥50%, and absent >mild left ventricular enlargement) were identified retrospectively. Ecxlusion criteria were previous cardiac surgery, ≥moderate aortic regurgitation/stenosis, infiltrative/hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, regional wall motion abnormalities or malignancy. Propensity score matching was performed (1:1 ratio) between patients treated with TEER and patients treated conservatively based on age, sex, EuroScore II, effective regurgitant orifice area, and the integrative MR severity. To ensure similar technique in evaluation in the 2 groups, variables were obtained from the closest transthoracic echocardiogram before TEER in the TEER group [median 65 (IQR 29-111) days]. Results: Overall, 46 patients with ≥moderate AFMR treated by TEER and 46 treated conservatively were included, Table 1 . Patients undergoing TEER had more frequent atrial fibrillation and NYHA class ≥III. MR improved to ≤moderate in 93% of patients undergoing TEER on procedural transesophageal echocardiography, Figure 1 . On 1–3-month post-TEER follow-up, 64% had NYHA class I/II (vs 33% pre-TEER), Figure 1 . Over median 2.2 (IQR 1.2-3.1) years, 32 patients died (rate 13%/year in each group, log-rank p=0.85), Figure 2 . When adjusted for baseline NYHA, rates of HF hospitalizations were not different between the groups (Wald-test p-value=0.48). Residual ≥moderate AFMR in the TEER group was not associated with mortality (log-rank p=0.83), but ≥1 class improvement of NYHA in patients with baseline NYHA >1 was associated with decreased mortality, Figure 2 . Conclusion: MR severity and NYHA class improved with TEER for AFMR, and improved NYHA class was associated with decreased mortality. However, the association of TEER with decreased risk of mortality or HF hospitalization remains unproven, and larger randomized studies are needed to evaluate the potential role of TEER on these outcomes in AFMR.