Gender Differences in Mortality After Mitral Valve Operation: Evidence for Higher Mortality in Perimenopausal Women

In patients aged 40 to 59 years, the mortality of mitral valve operation is approximately 2.5 times higher in women compared with men with similar risk factors. This survival disadvantage diminishes with further aging. Changes in ovarian function may be an important cause for this gender-age interaction and are a potential target for novel hormone-based therapies.