Re-evaluating the MATTERHORN trial: a critical analysis of its methodological and clinical implications
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Keywords

mitral valve
mitral valve surgery
functional mitral regurgitation
randomized controlled trial; secondary mitral regurgitation
transcatheter edge-toedge repair

How to Cite

García-Villarreal, O. A. . (2025). Re-evaluating the MATTERHORN trial: a critical analysis of its methodological and clinical implications. Argentine Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery, 23(3), 82–88. https://doi.org/10.55200/raccv.v23.n3.0108

Abstract

The MATTERHORN trial, the sole randomized controlled trial to date comparing mitral valve surgery with transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for functional mitral regurgitation in symptomatic patients ineligible for coronary artery bypass grafting, presents significant limitations. The exclusion of coronary artery bypass grafting is a critical omission, as it is the primary intervention for improving survival in these patients, with isolated mitral valve surgery predominantly addressing symptoms and quality of life. Moreover, numerous methodological deficiencies and inherent flaws compromise the trial's internal validity and its broader applicability in clinical practice. Therefore, a comprehensive re-evaluation, highlighting these biases, methodological shortcomings, and constraints, is essential, particularly as new clinical guidelines are anticipated. 

https://doi.org/10.55200/raccv.v23.n3.0108
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