Atrial Functional Mitral Regurgitation Research Articles

TCT-28 Outcomes of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Atrial Functional Mitral Regurgitation: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

TCT-28 Outcomes of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Atrial Functional Mitral Regurgitation: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

The CINCH-FMR postmarket registry: Real-world long-term outcomes with percutaneous mitral valve repair with the Carillon Mitral Contour System®

BackgroundThe Carillon® Mitral Contour System® has been studied in 4 prospective controlled studies in the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) where it has been found to reduce mitral regurgitation, reduce left ventricular and atrial volumes, and be associated with improvements in clinical parameters. AimsThe CINCH post-market registry is designed to evaluate immediate, mid-term and long-term outcomes from a post-approval study of the Carillon® device evaluated in real-world practice. MethodsThe CINCH post-market registry is a single-arm study of percutaneous mitral annuloplasty with the Carillon device in patients with functional (secondary) mitral regurgitation and symptomatic congestive heart failure when utilized in real-world conditions. Patient selection, echocardiographic hemodynamic measurements, and patient follow-up requirements were performed per standard of care at each institution. ResultsA total of 101 patients treated with the Carillon device at 13 sites in Germany were enrolled in the CINCH registry. The mean age was 75 ± 9 years, 57 % were male, and patient presentation included primarily NYHA class III (69 %) with MR grade 3 (68 %). Over 5 years of follow-up, all-cause mortality was 40.1 %, the incidence of HFH was 53.9 %, and the composite outcome of HFH or death was 66.4 %. At each follow-up interval through 5 years, statistically significant reductions in NYHA class (p < 0.05) and MR grade (p < 0.01) were reported. ConclusionsIn this “real world” registry of the Carillon Mitral Contour System, procedural safety and medium-term follow-up outcomes is similar to the outcomes seen in the prospective, controlled clinical trials, despite being used in populations of patients that extend outside of those studied in the trials. The use of this therapy in patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation, and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, was notable, since these types of patients were excluded from the prospective, controlled trials. This supports possible additional patient populations who might benefit from this type of mechanical therapy. The safety profile of this therapy in this registry and in the earlier trials may support a potential role in earlier forms of secondary mitral regurgitation.

Association Between Catheter Ablation for Nonparoxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and Functional Mitral Regurgitation in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) often coexists with atrial fibrillation (AF) and may have a causal relation with AF persistence and exacerbation of heart failure (HF). The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of FMR on AF catheter ablation (AFCA) outcomes and improvement in FMR after AFCA in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and nonparoxysmal AF. Excluding patients with primary valve disease or post-mitral valve repair, 280 patients with HFpEF who underwent CA for nonparoxysmal AF were retrospectively included. All patients completed 1-year follow-up and were assessed for FMR, AF recurrence and HF parameters, including echocardiography. At baseline, FMR was present in 153 (54.6%) patients (mild, n=112; moderate, n=40; severe, n=1), and these were decreased to 70 (25%) significantly 1year after AFCA (mild, n=64; moderate, n=6), 119 patients (78%) had improvement in MR (a decrease of ≥1 level in the severity from baseline to 1year on echocardiography). Overall, 274 patients (97.9%) had sinus rhythm at the 1-year examination, and recurrent AF-free survival did not differ in patients with and without MR improvement (83.2% vs 82.4%, p=0.908). However, the MR improvement group had a significantly lower cardiothoracic ratio, left atrial diameter, E/e', and B-type natriuretic peptide levels after 1year than those in the MR nonimprovement group. In conclusion, the majority of the HFpEF patients with nonparoxysmal AF had improvement of FMR after AFCA with the high maintenance of sinus rhythm, leading to a virtuous cycle of cardiac function.

Study of mitral valve remodling in patients with atrial functional mitral valve regurgitation using three-dimensional echocardiography

Abstract Background The global burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) is enormous for healthcare systems. AF is typically classified into five distinct patterns depending on the onset, progression, and resolution of AF episodes, first diagnosed AF, paroxysmal AF, persistent AF, long-standing persistent AF&amp; permanent AF. Atrial structural remodeling or exacerbation of atrial cardiomyopathy are generally defining features of the transition from paroxysmal to non-paroxysmal AF. The duration of rhythm monitoring and the presence of a substrate are both important factors in determining the rate of AF development. In the existence of a structurally normal valve, functional MR develops when there is a mismatch between the tethering forces exerted by the heart &amp; the closing forces exerted by the heart. In the context of functional MR annular dilation alone, can constitute a separate etiology of MR (atrial functional MR). TEE provides supplementary imaging, particularly if TTE windows are technically challenging, making it a useful tool even if TTE is the primary technique for assessing and quantifying mitral valve disease. 3DE data sets can be acquired from either TTE or TEE approach, allowing real-time visualization of the cardiac structures, it is superior to 2DE in quantification of cardiac chamber volumes and function, assessment of the mechanisms and severity of heart valve diseases, evaluation of cardiac complex anatomy. Aim of the work To study mitral valve apparatus remodeling in patients with atrial functional mitral valve regurgitation using three-dimensional echocardiography. Methods This study included a total of 30 patients with diagnosis of atrial fibrillation divided in to two groups, 15 patients having no/ mild mitral regurgitation while 15 patients having moderate/severe mitral regurgitation, they were subjected to 2D and 3D TEE echocardiographic assessment of MR degree, LA volumes, mitral leaflets and mitral annulus parameters. Results There was statistically significant difference between the two groups as regard the posterior leaflet area as larger area was estimated in (Mod/severe MR) group compared to (No/ mild MR) group, with mean posterior leaflet area in group I was (8.96 ± 2.60) and (7.30 ± 2.17) in group II with (P value = 0.029) as well as there was statistically significant difference between the two groups as regard total leaflet area/Mitral annular area ratio as smaller ratio was estimated in (Mod/severe MR) group as compared to (No/mild MR) group, with the mean total leaflet area /mitral annular area ratio in group I was (1.22 ± 0.04) and (1.26 ± 0.04) in group II with (P value = 0.008). Conclusion Isolated annular dilatation can cause significant functional atrial mitral regurgitation while mitral leaflet area increases in AF as the annulus dilates, but this adaptation may plateau at larger annular areas, with the resulting leaflet deficiency causing functional atrial mitral regurgitation. Additional Content An author video to accompany this abstract is available on https://academic.oup.com/eurheartjsupp. Please click on the arrow next to ‘More Content’ and then click on ‘Author videos’.

Impact of eccentric jet on outcomes in patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation: An echocardiographic study

BackgroundPrevious studies have reported the mechanisms underlying atrial functional mitral regurgitation (A-FMR). Recently, A-FMR subtypes based on mitral regurgitation (MR) mechanisms were proposed: “central jet” due to insufficient leaflet remodeling and “eccentric jet” due to atriogenic tethering. However, their prognostic value remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of A-FMR subtypes on clinical outcomes. MethodsOutpatients with significant A-FMR between January 2013 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. They were classified into two subtypes according to the MR jet's direction. All-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization, and any mitral valve interventions were the primary composite endpoint. ResultsAmong 101 patients with significant A-FMR, 32% had eccentric jet. The primary endpoint was observed in 56 patients during the follow-up period (median 0.7 years, range 0.1–4.2 years). Kaplan–Meier curves demonstrated that the composite endpoint was higher among patients with eccentric jet than those with central jet (log-rank p < 0.001). Eccentric jet (hazard ratio [HR] 2.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–4.73; p = 0.007), age (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02–1.11; p = 0.002), symptoms (HR 6.22, 95% CI 2.18–17.8; p < 0.001), severe MR (HR 3.97, 95% CI 1.92–8.18; p < 0.001), and significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR; HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.01–3.97; p = 0.047) were independent predictors of the composite endpoint. ConclusionsPatients with eccentric jet had poorer outcomes than those with central jet. Eccentric jet, age, symptoms, severe MR, and significant TR were independently associated with poor outcomes.

Assessment of mitral valve geometry in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients with or without ventricular dysfunction: insights from high volume rate three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography

Meticulous understanding of the mechanisms underpinning mitral regurgitation in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients is crucial to optimize therapeutic strategies. The morphologic characteristics of mitral valves in atrial functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) patients with and without left ventricular (LV) dysfunction were evaluated by high volume rate (HVR) three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE). In our study, 68 of 265 AF patients who underwent 3D-TEE were selected, including 36 patients with AF, FMR, and preserved LV function (AFMR group) and 32 patients with AF, FMR, and LV dysfunction (VFMR group). In addition, 36 fever patients without heart disease were included in the control group. Group comparisons were performed by one-way analysis of variance for continuous variables. The left atrium (LA) was enlarged in the AFMR and VFMR groups compared with the control group. The mitral annulus (MA) in the AFMR group was enlarged and flattened compared with the control group and was smaller than in the VFMR group. The annulus area fraction was significantly diminished in the AFMR and VFMR groups, indicative of reduced MA contractility. The posterior mitral leaflet (PML) angle was smallest in the AFMR group and largest in the control group, whereas the distal anterior mitral leaflet angle did not significantly differ among the three groups. LA remodeling causes expansion of the MA and reduced MA contractility, disruption of the annular saddle shape, and atriogenic PML tethering. Comparison of atrial FMR patients with and without LV dysfunction indicates that atriogenic PML tethering is an important factor that aggravates FMR. HVR 3D-TEE improves the 3D temporal resolution greatly.

Meta-analysis of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Atrial Functional Mitral Regurgitation.

Meta-analysis of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Atrial Functional Mitral Regurgitation.

Impact of left atrium plication on chronic heart failure with atrial functional mitral regurgitation.

We hypothesized that a giant left atrium may oppressthe posterior left ventricle and aggravate diastolic dysfunction and heart failure. We evaluated the effect of left atrial plication (LAP) on atrial functional mitral regurgitation. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent LAP for atrial functional mitral regurgitation at our institution between January 2017 and December 2021. Early outcomes, follow-up echocardiography data, and heart failure indicators were compared. Eighteen patients were divided into two groups: LAP + (n = 9) or LAP- (n = 9). There were no significant differences in patient characteristics and preoperative echocardiographic parameters, except for the preoperative New York Heart Association classification. Operative (505.7 [standard deviation: 100.0] minutes vs. 382.9 [standard deviation: 58.1] minutes, P = .0055) and cardiopulmonary bypass times (335.6 [standard deviation: 50.4] minutes vs. 246.9 [standard deviation: 62.7] minutes, P = .0044) were significantly longer in the LAP + group. No in-hospital mortalities were observed in both groups. The postoperative left atrial volume was significantly reduced in the LAP + group, and mitral regurgitation was controlled at less than mild levels in both groups. At follow-up, the left ventricular end-diastolic volume was reduced significantly in the LAP + group. Brain natriuretic peptide, cardiothoracic ratio, and the New York Heart Association classification were improved in the LAP + group. Additional left atrial plication contributes to the control of atrial functional mitral regurgitation and heart failure at a later stage. A careful long-term follow-up is needed as re-expansion of the left atrium is possible. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12055-023-01569-6.

Outcomes of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for atrial functional mitral regurgitation: A meta-analysis of observational studies.

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) may have potential benefits in the treatment of atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR), but robust evidence is currently lacking. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the clinical outcomes of TEER for AFMR, including comparisons to ventricular functional MR (VFMR). MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched through January 2023 to identify studies eligible for analysis. The primary outcome was postprocedural MR severity. Postprocedural New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class classification and all-cause mortality were also evaluated. Outcomes were stratified into short term (postprocedure to 6 months) and long term (6 months to 2 years). A total of eight observational studies met the inclusion criteria, enrolling 539 AFMR and 3486 VFMR patients. Postprocedural MR grade ≤2 in the AFMR group was observed in 93.7% (454/491 patients; 95% confidence interval (CI), 91.1%-96.2%, I2 = 24.3%) and 97.1% (89/93 patients; 95% CI, 92.9%-100%, I2 = 26.4%) in short- and long-term follow-up, respectively. There was no difference in the rates of postprocedural MR grade ≤2 between AFMR and VFMR either in short-term (risk ratio [RR], 1.00 [95% CI, 0.95-1.06]; p = 0.90; I2 = 53%) or long-term follow-up (RR, 1.08 [95% CI, 0.89-1.32]; p = 0.44; I2 = 22%). Similarly, no difference was observed between AFMR and VFMR in the rates of postprocedural NYHA class ≤2 or all-cause mortality. TEER provides similar clinical outcomes for AFMR and VFMR. A high rate of MR grade ≤2 was observed in patients at both short- and long-term follow-ups. Further prospective studies with TEER versus medical therapy and/or rhythm control for AFMR are warranted.

Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of atrial functional mitral regurgitation in patients with atrial fibrillation or sinus rhythm.

Atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) has been associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. However, data on incident AFMR are scarce. We aimed to study the incidence, risk factors, and clinical significance of AFMR in AF or sinus rhythm (SR). Adults with new diagnosis of AF and adults in SR were identified. Patients with >mild MR at baseline, primary mitral disease, cardiomyopathy, left-sided valve disease, previous cardiac surgery, or with no follow-up echocardiogram were excluded. Diastolic dysfunction (DD) was indicated by ≥2/4 abnormal diastolic function parameters [mitral medial e', mitral medial E/e', tricuspid regurgitation velocity, left atrial volume index (LAVI)]. Overall, 1747 patients with AF and 29 623 in SR were included. Incidence rate of >mild AFMR was 2.6 per 100 person-year in new-onset AF and 0.7 per 100 person-year in SR, P < 0.001. AF remained associated with AFMR in a propensity score-matched analysis based on age, sex, and comorbidities between AF and SR [hazard ratio: 3.80 (95% confidence interval 3.04-4.76)]. Independent risk factors associated with incident AFMR were age ≥65 years, female sex, LAVI, and DD in both AF and SR, in addition to rate (vs. rhythm) control in AF. Incident AFMR was independently associated with all-cause death in both groups (both P < 0.001). AF conferred a three-fold increase in the risk of incident AFMR. DD, older age, left atrial size, and female sex were independent risk factors in both SR and AF, while rhythm control was protective. AFMR was universally associated with worse mortality.

Outcome of mitral repair combined with Cox-maze procedure for atrial functional mitral regurgitation with heart failure with recovered ejection fraction.

Atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) in patients with heart failure with recovered ejection fraction has received insufficient attention. This study analysed the prognosis and outcomes of mitral valve (MV) repair combined with the Cox-maze procedure. A prospective cohort study of patients with AFMR with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% was conducted. All patients received guideline-directed medical therapy. Those with recovered ejection fraction underwent MV repair combined with the Cox-maze procedure. Mortality, atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence, mitral regurgitation (MR) and postoperative tricuspid regurgitation were assessed using the inverse probability weighting (IPW) method. In total, 312 patients were enrolled in this study between 2010 and 2019, 247 of whom underwent MV repair combined with the Cox-maze procedure [full recovery (LVEF > 50%): n = 132, partial recovery (LVEF of 40-50%): n = 115]. IPW-adjusted survival of patients with LVEF ≥50% and LVEF 40-50% showed no significant difference [hazard ratio (HR): 2.18, 95% confidence interval: 0.46-10.38, P = 0.33]. However, patients with LVEF ≥50% had better IPW-adjusted long-term freedom from recurrent MR [HR: 2.44 (1.28-4.63), P = 0.0065] and AF recurrence [HR: 1.85 (1.06-3.21), P = 0.030] than those with LVEF of 40-50%. MV repair combined with the Cox-maze procedure was effective and feasible in patients with severe AFMR with heart failure with recovered ejection fraction. Additionally, patients with LVEF ≥50% after guideline-directed medical therapy undergoing these combined procedures had better long-term freedom from recurrent AF and MR than those with LVEF of 40-50%.

Identification of factors associated with progression of left atrial enlargement in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Left atrial (LA) enlargement frequently occurs in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, and this enlargement is associated with the development of heart failure, thromboembolism, or atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR). AF patients can develop LA enlargement over time, but its progression depends on the individual. So far, the factors that cause progressive LA enlargement in AF patients have thus not been elucidated, so that the aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with the progression of LA enlargement in AF patients. We studied 100 patients with persistent or permanent AF (aged: 67±2 years, 40 females). Echocardiography was performed at baseline and 12 (5-30) months after follow-up. LA size was evaluated as the LA volume index which was calculated with the biplane modified Simpson's method from apical four-and two-chamber views, and then normalized to the body surface area (LAVI). The deterioration of AFMR after follow-up was defined as a deterioration in severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) by a grade of 1 or more. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that hypertension (p=.03) was an independently associated parameter of progressive LA enlargement, as was baseline LAVI. In addition, the Kaplan-Meier curve indicated that patients with hypertension tended to show greater deterioration of AFMR after follow-up than those without hypertension (log-rank p=.08). Hypertension proved to be strongly associated with progression of LA enlargement over time in patients with AF. Our findings provide new insights for better management of patients with AF to prevent the development of AFMR.

Left Atrial Myopathy in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

The left atrium (LA) plays an important role in facilitating left ventricular (LV) filling by acting as a reservoir, passive conduit, and active booster pump, as well as a regulator of blood volume through A-type natriuretic peptide secretion in response to stimulation by mechanical stretch of the cavity. LA myopathy has emerged as one of the most important non-LV contributors to disease progression in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). LA dysfunction is common in HFpEF and is associated with more severe pulmonary vascular disease and right ventricular dysfunction, and increases the risk of incident atrial fibrillation or atrial functional mitral regurgitation, leading to limitations in cardiac output reserve and reduced exercise capacity. LA deformation assessed by 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography is useful for estimating abnormal hemodynamics or exercise capacity, discriminating HFpEF from non-cardiac dyspnea and is an independent predictor of adverse outcome in HFpEF. Thus, interventions directly targeting LA myopathy may improve outcomes in HFpEF with LA myopathy. This review provides information regarding the physiology of the LA in patients with HFpEF and discusses the importance of evaluation of LA function, management issues, and future directions through ongoing trials of medical interventions.

How should right ventricle remodeling be assessed in women and men with chronic mitral regurgitation?

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Haukeland University Hospital Introduction Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction has a negative impact in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR), yet its assessment by two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography remains challenging. It is unclear which echocardiographic parameter best reflects RV remodeling in chronic MR. Purpose To assess 2D and three-dimensional (3D) measures of RV size and function in relation to MR severity. Methods Patients in the 3D-PRIME (3D Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Prognosis in Mitral Regurgitation) study with moderate or severe MR by combined transthoracic/transesophageal assessment and no other severe valve disease were examined at our heart valve clinic between 2020–2022. RV remodeling was assessed in 2D by the basal diameter, tissue Doppler peak systolic velocity at the lateral tricuspid ring (RV s´), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and RV free wall longitudinal strain (RV FWS); and in 3D by end-diastolic volume (3D RVEDV), end-systolic volume (3D RVESV), ejection fraction (3D RVEF) and fractional area change (3D RVFAC). Results 100 patients with moderate or severe MR (54 with degenerative MR; 26 with atrial functional MR; 20 with ventricular functional MR) were included. Women (n=38) had smaller MR regurgitation volumes and RV size, similar TAPSE and RV s´, but higher 3D RVEF, 3D RVFAC and RV strain normalized for 3D RVEDV (all p &amp;lt;0.05). More severe RV remodeling with larger volumes, and lower 3D RVFAC (all p &amp;lt;0.05), and 3D RVEF (p = 0.05) was detected in severe MR by 3D, but not by 2D RV measures (Figure). In ROC analyses, 3D RVESV was strongest associated with severe MR (area under curve 0.68, p &amp;lt;0.01, Figure). In linear regression analysis, increasing 3D RVESV was associated with higher body mass index, larger MR regurgitation volume, male sex, and larger 3D left atrial volumes (R2 0.48, p &amp;lt;0.001). Conclusion RV remodeling in severe MR is detected by 3D, but not by routine 2D echocardiography. The 3D RV end-systolic size best reflects MR severity.

Implications of the Mitral Leaflet Coaptation Pattern on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Functional Mitral Regurgitation

The classification of secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) is based on atrial functional MR (AFMR) or ventricular functional MR (VFMR) and volume changes, but the mitral leaflet coaptation angle also contributes to the MR mechanism. The clinical implications of the coaptation angle on cardiovascular (CV) outcomes have not been well evaluated. A total of 469 consecutive patients (265 AFMR vs 204 VFMR) with more than moderate MR were evaluated for the occurrence of heart failure, mitral valve operations, and CV death. The coaptation angle was assessed by measuring the internal angle between both leaflets at mid-systole using the apical 3-chamber view. A coaptation angle ≥130° was classified as leaflet flattening, and an angle <130° was classified as leaflet tethering. AFMR and VFMR were associated with higher frequencies of leaflet flattening and tethering, respectively. AFMR was more likely to be associated with older age, atrial fibrillation, and preserved ejection fraction, all of which were related to leaflet flattening. During a follow-up of 2.3years, 83 patients had heart failure (17.7%), 21 patients underwent mitral valve operations (4.5%), and 34 patients died (7%). Compared with leaflet tethering, leaflet flattening was more significantly related to CV events, whereas CV event rates were less markedly different in A/VFMR. Irrespective of A/VFMR, leaflet flattening and atrial fibrillation were associated with a higher frequency of CV events. Adjusted analysis showed that leaflet flattening remained an independent predictor of CV events (hazard ratio 3.5, 95% confidence interval 1.11 to 4.88, p=0.003), whereas A/VFMR did not. In conclusion, the leaflet coaptation angle in patients with functional MR could provide risk stratification superior to that of A/VFMR. Leaflet flattening appears to be associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes.

Atrial functional mitral regurgitation in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation

Atrial functional mitral regurgitation in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation

Atrial Dysfunction in Significant Atrial Functional Mitral Regurgitation: Phenotypes and Prognostic Implications.

Atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Left atrial (LA) size and function in AFMR are poorly characterized. We aimed to assess LA function by reservoir strain (LASr) and estimated reservoir work (LAWr) and their impact on outcome in AFMR. Consecutive patients at our institution between 2001 and 2019 and with significant (moderate or greater) AFMR were examined. LAWr was estimated as LASr×LA reservoir volume, and patients were grouped by median LASr and LAWr. Outcomes were all-cause death or heart failure hospitalizations. Five hundred fifteen AFMR patients were followed up for 5 (1-17) years. Patients had previously documented atrial fibrillation (AF; 37%), heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) without AF (24%), or both (HFpEF+AF, 39%). LA volume was largest in AF, while LA function parameters were most impaired in the combined HFpEF+AF group. During follow-up, patients with low LASr or LAWr had higher risk of death (P<0.001) and heart failure hospitalization (P<0.05). In Cox regression analyses, low LASr and LAWr, but not LA volume or left ventricular function, were associated with a higher risk of death (LASr: hazard ratio, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.6-3.5]; LAWr: hazard ratio, 3.4 [95% CI, 2.4-4.9]; both P<0.001) after adjustment for clinical and echocardiographic confounders. Low LASr and LAWr were strongest associated with death in HFpEF and HFpEF+AF. LA reservoir function but not LA size is a robust predictor of outcome in significant AFMR. This provides mechanistic insights into the interplay of functional versus geometric LA changes in AFMR.

Atrial Functional Mitral Regurgitation

Atrial Functional Mitral Regurgitation

MitraClip single-leaflet detachment and consequent migration in atrial functional mitral regurgitation.

An 84-year-old woman with symptomatic severe functional mitral regurgitation (MR) due to long standing atrial fibrillation underwent percutaneous edge-to-edge repair using the MitraClip system (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA) (see Supplementary data online, Video S1). Following deployment of an XTR clip in the A2-P2 segment, a second MitraClip XT device was deployed laterally to prevent recurrence of MR caused by stretching of left atrium and mitral leaflets. However, single leaflet detachment of the anterior leaflet occurred immediately (Panel A, Supplementary data online, Video S2). Since only mild MR was observed after the procedure, additional clipping was not performed, and her symptoms were relieved. However, at 2 weeks after discharge, she presented with right inguinal pain and aggravated dyspnea. The lateral clip was not observed on chest x-ray (Panels B and C). Computed tomography revealed the migrated MitraClip at the right common iliac artery bifurcation (yellow arrows in Panel D). Transesophageal echocardiogram showed recurrence of severe MR with newly developed small chordae rupture (Panel E, Supplementary data online, Video S3). The embolized MitraClip was successfully retrieved using 10- and 15-mm Amplatz GooseNeck® snares (Ev3, Plymouth, MN, USA) through a 16-French Check-Flo® Introducer sheath (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA) (Panels F, G, and H, Supplementary data online, Video S4), and another NTW clip was deployed. Post-procedure transesophageal echocardiogram confirmed residual mild to moderate MR (Panel I, Supplementary data online, Video S5). Images from this case show the complications of MitraClip single leaflet detachment and distal migration, and how this problem was solved.

Differences in clinical and echocardiographic features and outcomes between atrial functional mitral regurgitation patients with and without posterior mitral leaflet bending

BackgroundPosterior mitral leaflet (PML) bending is a cause of atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR). We aimed to investigate differences in clinical and echocardiographic features and outcomes between AFMR patients with and without PML bending. MethodsWe retrospectively examined 118 AFMR patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), mild or greater MR without degenerative mitral valve changes, and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50 %. Patients were classified by the presence of PML bending: PML bending (n=24) and no PML bending (n=94). PML bending was defined as PML-to-anterior mitral leaflet angle ratio ≥3.1 calculated using receiver operating characteristics analysis for eccentric MR jet toward left atrial posterior wall. The study endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, admission for heart failure, and mitral valve surgery. ResultsOverall, a total of 88 patients (75 %) had mild MR. There were no between-group differences in clinical and echocardiographic characteristics including AF duration and cardiac cavities size except for the length of inward bending of the left ventricular posterobasal wall and the mitral annular area. The 36-month event-free survival for the composite endpoint was significantly lower in the PML bending group (63 % vs. 78 %; Log-rank p=0.047). In multivariate analysis, PML bending was also associated with the composite outcome. ConclusionsAFMR patients with PML bending may have worse outcomes than those without PML bending despite similar clinical features.