AUTHOR=Carpenito Myriam , Gelfusa Martina , Mega Simona , Cammalleri Valeria , Benfari Giovanni , De Stefano Domenico , Ussia Gian Paolo , Tribouilloy Christophe , Enriquez-Sarano Maurice , Grigioni Francesco 

TITLE=Watchful surgery in asymptomatic mitral valve prolapse

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2023.1134828

DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2023.1134828

ISSN=2297-055X

ABSTRACT=<p>The most common organic etiology of mitral regurgitation is degenerative and consists of mitral valve prolapse (MVP). Volume overload because of mitral regurgitation is the most common complication of MVP. Advocating surgery before the consequences of volume overload become irreparable restores life expectancy, but carries a risk of mortality in patients who are often asymptomatic. On the other hand, the post-surgical outcome of symptomatic patients is dismal and life expectancy is impaired. In the present article, we aim to bridge the gap between these two therapeutic approaches, unifying the concepts of watchful waiting and early surgery in a “watchful surgery approach”.</p>