Abstract 2865: Enhanced Left Ventricular Mass Regression Following Aortic Valve Replacement is Associated with Improved Long-Term Survival: A 15-year Study

Abstract

Background Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is followed by regression of LVH. More complete resolution of LVH is suggested to be associated with superior clinical outcomes, however its impact on long-term survival following AVR has not been investigated. Methods Demographic and clinical data were obtained retrospectively through casenote review. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to measure LVM pre-operatively and at annual follow-up visits. Patients were grouped according to their reduction in LVM at late follow-up: Group A < 25 grams, Group B 25–150 grams and Group C > 150 grams. Results 211 patients underwent AVR between 1 st January 1991 and 1 st January 2001. Pre-operative LVM was 295 ± 118 g in A (n=63), 346 ± 97 g in B (n=75) and 539 ± 175 g in C (n=73), P <0.001. Mean time to last echocardiogram was 6.4 ± 3.3 years. LVM at late follow-up was 351 ± 160 g in A, 265 ± 95 g in B and 270 ± 90 g in C, P <0.001. Transvalvular gradients at follow-up were not significantly differerent between groups (A: 21 ± 21 mm Hg, B: 20 ± 15 mm Hg, C: 14 ± 11 mm Hg), P = 0.10. There was no difference in the prevalence of other factors influencing LVM regression such as IHD or hypertension. Ten year actuarial survival was significantly greater in patients with enhanced LVM regression when compared with the log-rank test (A: 49% ± 7, B: 67%± 6, C: 75% ± 6), P =0.03 (Figure 1 ). LVM reduction > 150 grams was an independent predictor of long-term survival on multivariate analysis (P = 0.03). Conclusion Enhanced LVM regression at late follow-up in patients undergoing AVR is associated with improved long-term survival. Strategies to optimize post-operative LVM regression should be considered in view of potential prognostic benefit.