Optimal timing of surgery for chronic mitral or aortic regurgitation

Symptoms tend to develop late in the course of both chronic mitral and chronic aortic regurgitation, and when the regurgitation is stable patients may enjoy many years of full activity free from disability. In the absence of complicating atrial fibrillation or coronary artery disease the onset of dyspnoe and fatigue usually indicate myocardial failure and possibly a lost opportunity for a low risk operation and long term benefit. Valve replacement for aortic regurgitation is a good operation which reduces left ventricular work. However, mitral valve replacement is unphysiologic and not surprisingly, the operative mortality and long term results are worse with an excess of deaths caused by left ventricular failure. While the need for operation is obvious when patients already have symptoms or when valvar regurgitation is increasing, timing is far more difficult for patients with severe, chronic, stable regurgitation who still enjoy a high quality of life. It is even more difficult in mitral regurgitation because the stakes are higher with a higher operative risk, but suitability for mitral valve reconstruction justifies earlier operation and therefore makes it mandatory for cardiologists to identify such patients.