Pulmonary Regurgitation Predicts Heart Failure, Short-Term Death

Pulmonary valve regurgitation (PVR) severity is significantly linked with short-term mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients, according to a study that was presented at ESC Heart Failure 2025.

The investigators assessed the association between PVR severity and clinical outcomes, specifically mortality and hospital admissions. They conducted a retrospective study comprising nearly 600 HFrEF patients, categorized into five groups based on PVR severity: no regurgitation (PVR 0), mild (PVR 1), mild to moderate (PVR 2), moderate (PVR 3), and moderate to severe (PVR 4).

The findings of the post-hoc analysis showed notably higher mortality rates in patients with PVR levels 2 and 4 compared to those with PVR 0 (P=0.001 and P=0.012, respectively), the researchers noted. Regarding short-term outcomes, the findings showed a notable trend toward one-month heart failure admissions (P=0.078).

“These findings suggest that incorporating PVR evaluation into routine clinical practice may improve risk stratification. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this association and its therapeutic implications,” the researchers concluded.