Among patients with severe asymptomatic organic mitral regurgitation, BNP > or =105 pg/ml discriminates a subgroup of patients at higher risk. Because of its incremental prognostic value, BNP assessment should be considered in clinical routine workup for risk stratification.

Among patients with severe asymptomatic aortic regurgitation and normal left ventricular function, BNP ≥130 pg/ml categorizes a subgroup of patients at higher risk. Because of its incremental prognostic value, we believe BNP assessment should be used in the routine clinical evaluation of these patients.

The MIDA Score may represent an innovative tool for DMR management, being able to position a given patient within a continuous spectrum of short- and long-term mortality risk, either under medical or surgical management. This innovative prognostic indicator may provide a specific framework for future clinical trials aiming to compare new technologies for DMR treatment in homogeneous risk categories of patients.

No abstract

In patients with degenerative MR, BNPratio is a powerful, independent, and incremental predictor of long-term mortality under medical management. BNPratio should be incorporated into the routine clinical assessment of patients with degenerative MR.