Volume 106, Issue 1 pp. 28-40
REVIEW

Transcatheter Approaches to Atrial Functional Mitral Regurgitation: How Far Have We Come?

Alberto Preda

Corresponding Author

Alberto Preda

De Gasperis Cardio Center, Electrophysiology Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy

Correspondence: Alberto Preda ([email protected])

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Francesca Coppi

Francesca Coppi

Cardiovascular Imaging Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

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Francesco Melillo

Francesco Melillo

Cardiovascular Imaging Unit, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy

Echo Lab, Clinica Montevergine, GVM Care and Research, Mercogliano, Italy

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Giulio Leo

Giulio Leo

Cardiovascular Imaging Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

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Davide Margonato

Davide Margonato

Cardiovascular Imaging Unit, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy

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Fabio Alfredo Sgura

Fabio Alfredo Sgura

Cardiovascular Imaging Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

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Carmine Galdieri

Carmine Galdieri

Cardiovascular Imaging Unit, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy

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Luca Liberale

Luca Liberale

IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa—Italian Cardiovascular Network, Genoa, Italy

Department of Internal Medicine, First Clinic of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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Fabrizio Montecucco

Fabrizio Montecucco

IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa—Italian Cardiovascular Network, Genoa, Italy

Department of Internal Medicine, First Clinic of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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Italo Porto

Italo Porto

Cardiology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy

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Pietro Ameri

Pietro Ameri

Cardiology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy

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Paolo Di Donna

Paolo Di Donna

Cardiology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy

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Eustachio Agricola

Eustachio Agricola

Cardiovascular Imaging Unit, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy

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Patrizio Mazzone

Patrizio Mazzone

De Gasperis Cardio Center, Electrophysiology Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy

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Francesco Maisano

Francesco Maisano

Heart Valve Center, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy

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Cosmo Godino

Cosmo Godino

Heart Valve Center, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy

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First published: 26 December 2024

ABSTRACT

Functional mitral regurgitation (MR) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and over the past decade, the diagnosis of atrial functional mitral regurgitation (aFMR) has been increasingly observed in the elderly, especially in those with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Annular enlargement, perturbations of annular contraction, and atriogenic leaflet tethering distinguish the pathophysiology of aFMR from the one of ventricular origin. However, no consensus provides recommendations regarding the differential diagnosis and the subsequent management of aFMR. The advent of transcatheter mitral valve repair has paved the way for various treatments including edge-to-edge repair (TEER), mitral annuloplasty, and replacement, with optimistic results on short-medium-term outcome provided by preliminary studies. In parallel, rhythm control of AF for paroxysmal and persistent types, should be pursued to induce reverse remodeling and restoring the normal leaflet coaptation. In this setting, catheter ablation aiming for electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins is the most widely recognized and effective strategy for maintaining sinus rhythm. Nevertheless, arrhythmia-free survival is lower in patients with persistent and long-term persistent AF, leading to the adoption of hybrid strategies combining transcatheter endocardial ablation and thoracoscopic epicardial surgical ablation. This review provides an update on the diagnosis and treatment of aFMR, focusing on available transcatheter approaches that can be performed in the catheterization lab and electrophysiology lab.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The authors have nothing to report.

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