Assessment of left ventricular mass index on left ventricular remodeling and reversion in patients after aortic valve replacement

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the reverse of the left ventricular remodeling by left ventricular mass index(LVMI) from real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) in patients after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods Sixty-three patients included 36 moderate or severe aortic insufficiency (Group AI) and 27 moderate or severe aortic stenosis (Group AS) who accepted aortic valve replacement and 32 healthy subjects were enrolled. LVMI, left ventricular end-diastolic volume index(LVEDVI), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured and compared with RT-3DE during 1 week pre-, 1 week post-, 1 month post- and 6 months post-operation. Results LVMI in Group AI and Group AS were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects during 1 week pre-, 1 week post-, 1 month post- and 6 months post-operation (all P<0.05). Compared with pre-operation, LVEDVI, LVESVI, LVMI in Group AI and LVMI in Group AS were significantly decreased during 1 week post-operation(all P<0.05). LVMI in Group AI was significantly decreased during 1 month post-operation compared with those during 1 week post-operation(all P<0.05). Negative correlation between LVMI and LVEF in patients group after 1 week, 1 month and 6 month post-AVR (r=-0.69, -0.74, -0.86; P<0.05). Conclusions AVR can reverse left ventricular remodeling in patients with moderate or severe aortic insufficiency or aortic stenosis, which can be quantitatively evaluated by LVMI on RT-3DE. Key words: Echocardiography, real-time three-dimensional; Aortic valve replacement; Left ventricular mass index; Aortic valve insufficiency; Aortic valve stenosis