Quantifying Risk in Mitral RegurgitationResearchers evaluated the long-term prognostic value of baseline mitral regurgitation severity in a prospective cohort of 449 asymptomatic patients with holosystolic degenerative mitral regurgitation. The study assessed severity using effective regurgitant orifice area. Higher Effective Regurgitant Orifice Area Linked to MortalityDuring follow-up, 254 patients underwent mitral valve surgery. The association between surgery and improved survival emerged at effective regurgitant orifice area values above 30 mm². Notably, patients with upper moderate mitral regurgitation, defined as an effective regurgitant orifice area of 30 to 39 mm², demonstrated a significant association between surgical treatment and improved long-term survival.