Heart rhythm fix may also repair leaky valve: scientists build prediction model

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Aged 18-75 years 2. Diagnosis of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and/or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with combined qualitative and quantitative assessment, demonstrating moderate or worse regurgitation (≥ grade 2+) 3. Persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) with successful catheter ablation 4. Signed informed consent with commitment to regular follow-up for ≥1 year Exclusion Criteria: 1. Acute or chronic degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) from any etiology 2. Paroxysmal or permanent atrial fibrillation 3. Planned repeat ablation for AF recurrence 4. Concomitant moderate/severe valvular disease (e.g., mitral stenosis, aortic stenosis/regurgitation, pulmonary stenosis/regurgitation) 5. Prior valvular surgery/intervention 6. History of open-heart surgery 7. Severe pulmonary hypertension (PASP \>70 mmHg) refractory to medical therapy 8. Left atrial diameter ≥60 mm (diastolic phase) on echocardiography 9. Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism 10. Intracardiac mass/thrombus/vegetation 11. Significant shunts (ASD/VSD/PDA) 12. Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy 13. Active severe infection/sepsis (including infective endocarditis) 14. Scheduled CRT/CRT-D/CCM implantation 15. Untreated critical CAD (e.g., ≥70% stenosis in proximal/mid LAD/LCX/RCA requiring revascularization) or concomitant major cardiovascular surgery needs 16. End-stage heart failure (ACC/AHA Stage D) requiring mechanical support/transplant listing 17. Severe hepatic dysfunction (acute liver failure/decompensated cirrhosis, Child-Pugh C) 18. Severe renal impairment (CKD 5: eGFR\<15 mL/min or dialysis) 19. Hemodynamic instability (SBP\<90 mmHg/MAP\<70 mmHg with hypoperfusion \[urine output\<30 mL/h\]) 20. Contraindications to antithrombotics: Active bleeding (GI/intracranial/visceral), bleeding disorders (hemophilia/ITP/leukemia etc.), severe hematologic abnormalities (platelets\<20×10⁹/L, spontaneous INR\>3) 21. Uncontrolled autoimmune/connective tissue disease 22. Acute MI within 4 weeks 23. Stroke within 30 days 24. Acute peptic ulcer/upper GI bleeding within 3 months 25. Pregnancy/lactation 26. Declined informed consent 27. Life expectancy \<1 year 28. Poor compliance (anticipated inability to complete follow-up) 29. Concurrent participation in conflicting clinical trials 30. Other investigator-determined exclusions.