Atrial functional mitral regurgitation: was this new entity needed?

Atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) has recently been the focus of numerous original articles and reviews. This entity has been highlighted by population aging, the increasing prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and atrial fibrillation, and the advent of the transcatheter techniques for mitral valve repair. AFMR is phenotype of mitral regurgitation that presents specific diagnostic challenges and current guidelines do not provide strong recommendations for its management. Cumulative data show that the outcomes of patients with severe AFMR are poor if left untreated. However, new heart failure therapies and minimally invasive techniques may have a positive impact on the outcomes of these patients.