Mitral Valve Repair For Degenerative Regurgitation Research Articles

Sex-Specific Prognosis of Left Ventricular Size and Function Following Repair of Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation

BackgroundPrior studies have demonstrated worse long-term outcomes for women after surgery for severe mitral regurgitation (MR). The current Class I indications for surgery for severe degenerative MR use cutoffs of left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) that do not account for known sex-related differences. ObjectivesThe primary objective of this study was to assess long-term mortality following mitral valve repair in women compared with men on the basis of preoperative left ventricular systolic dimensions and EF. MethodsConsecutive patients who underwent isolated mitral valve repair for degenerative MR at a single institution between 1994 and 2016 were screened. Adjusted HRs for all-cause mortality were compared according to baseline LVESD, LVESD indexed to body surface area (LVESDi), and EF for men and women. ResultsAmong 4,589 patients, 1,825 were women (40%), and after a median follow-up period of 7.2 years, 344 patients (7.5%) had died. The risk for mortality for women increased from the baseline hazard at an LVESD of 3.6 cm, whereas an inflection point for increased risk with LVESD was not evident in men. Regarding LVESDi, the risk for women increased at 1.8 cm/m2 compared with 2.1 cm/m2 in men. For EF, women and men had a similar inflection point (58%); however, mortality was higher for women as EF decreased. ConclusionsAfter mitral valve repair, women have a higher risk for all-cause mortality at lower LVESD and LVESDi and higher EF. These results support consideration of sex-specific thresholds for LVESDi in surgical decision making for patients with severe MR.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair for Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation

There are limited data on the outcomes of transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) in a real-world setting. To evaluate the outcomes of transcatheter mitral valve repair for degenerative MR. Cohort study of consecutive patients in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology Transcatheter Valve Therapies Registry who underwent nonemergent transcatheter mitral valve repair for degenerative MR in the US from 2014 through 2022. Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair with the MitraClip device (Abbott). The primary end point was MR success, defined as moderate or less residual MR and a mean mitral gradient of less than 10 mm Hg. Clinical outcomes were evaluated based on the degree of residual MR (mild or less MR or moderate MR) and mitral valve gradients (≤5 mm Hg or >5 to <10 mm Hg). A total of 19 088 patients with isolated moderate to severe or severe degenerative MR who underwent transcatheter mitral valve repair were analyzed (median age, 82 years; 48% women; median Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality with surgical mitral valve repair, 4.6%). MR success was achieved in 88.9% of patients. At 30 days, the incidence of death was 2.7%; stroke, 1.2%; and mitral valve reintervention, 0.97%. MR success compared with an unsuccessful procedure was associated with significantly lower mortality (14.0% vs 26.7%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.42-0.56; P < .001) and heart failure readmission (8.4% vs 16.9%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.41-0.54; P < .001) at 1 year. Among patients with MR success, the lowest mortality was observed in patients who had both mild or less residual MR and mean mitral gradients of 5 mm Hg or less compared with those with an unsuccessful procedure (11.4% vs 26.7%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.34-0.47; P < .001). In this registry-based study of patients with degenerative MR undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair, the procedure was safe and resulted in successful repair in 88.9% of patients. The lowest mortality was observed in patients with mild or less residual MR and low mitral gradients.

Valvuloplasty Without Prosthetic Ring or Band in Patients with Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation: Long-Term Results and Predictive Factors for Outcomes.

IntroductionMitral valvuloplasty including ring/band support is widely performed despite potential drawbacks of rings. Unsupported valvuloplasty is performed in only a few centers. This study aimed to report long-term outcomes of patients undergoing unsupported valvuloplasty for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) and to identify predictive factors for outcomes.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort including patients undergoing mitral valve repair for degenerative MR from 2000 to 2018. The main techniques were Wooler annuloplasty and quadrangular resection. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models were used for statistical analysis.ResultsOne hundred fifty-eight patients were included (median age: 64.0 years). In-hospital mortality was 2.5%. Maximum follow-up was 19.6 years, with a median of 4.7 years (992 patient-years). Overall survival at 5, 10, and 15 years was 91.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 85.7-96.3), 87.6% (95% CI: 80.7-94.5), and 78.1% (95% CI: 65.9-90.3), respectively. The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) II was an independent predictor of late death (hazard ratio [HR] 1.42; P=0.016). Freedom from mitral reoperation at 5, 10, and 15 years was 88.1% (95% CI: 82.0-94.2), 82.4% (95% CI: 74.6-90.2), and 75.7% (95% CI: 64.1-87.3), respectively. Left atrial diameter > 56 mm was associated with late reintervention in univariate analysis (HR 1.06; P=0.049).ConclusionDegenerative MR can be successfully treated with repair techniques without annular support, thus avoiding the technical and logistical drawbacks of ring/band implantation while maintaining good long-term results. EuroSCORE II was a risk factor for late death, and larger left atrium was associated with late reoperation.

Long-Term Outcomes of Mitral Valve Repair for Isolated Commissural Prolapse: Up to 17-Year Experience

Mitral valve repair has been shown to be effective for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR). However, outcomes of mitral valve repair for commissural prolapse has not been well defined. Commissural prolapse has been often categorized into the groups of posterior leaflet prolapse or bileaflet prolapse, and outcomes and prognosis of isolated commissural prolapse has been rarely reported. We aimed to determine clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of mitral valve repair for isolated commissural lesion. Between 1992 and 2010, 1,112 patients underwent mitral valve repair for degenerative MR at our institution. Among those, we reviewed 122 patients with isolated commissural prolapse. We analyzed operative outcomes, long-term survival rate, freedom from reoperation rate, and freedom from recurrent moderate or severe MR rate. The mean age was 57.0 ± 14.4 years old, 83 patients (68.0%) were men, 16 patients (13.1%) had infective endocarditis, 43 patients (35.2%) had atrial fibrillation, 27 patients (22.1%) had anterolateral commissural prolapse, 91 (74.6%) had posteromedial commissural prolapse, and 4 (3.3%) had bilateral commissural prolapse. We performed leaflet resection in 111 (91.0%) (concomitant sliding plasty in 43), chordal replacement in 94 (77.0%), and ring annuloplasty in 121 patients (99.2%). Residual mild MR was confirmed in 7 patients (5.7%) on predischarge echocardiography. No patients had moderate or severe MR at the time of discharge. Fifteen-year survival and freedom from mitral reoperation were 87.6% and 93.0%, respectively. Freedom from recurrent moderate or severe MR at 15 years was 87.4%. Mitral valve repair for isolated commissural prolapse demonstrated excellent early and late outcomes.

Simplici-T Annuloplasty Band for Mitral Valve Repair for Degenerative Disease

Sizing of annuloplasty rings and bands is variably based on intertrigonal or intercommissural distances or estimation of the anterior leaflet area. This studyexamines the results of mitral valve repair with Simplici-T annuloplasty band without predetermining its length in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) as a result of degenerative disease. Three hundred thirty-seven consecutive patients (median age, 58 years; 69% men) underwent mitral valve repair for MR as a result of degenerative disease (52% bileaflet prolapse and 36% anterior leaflet prolapse). Prolapse of the leaflet was corrected by chordal replacement with Gore-Tex sutures and occasionally a triangular resection. A posterior mitral annuloplasty with a Simplici-T band (median length, 70 mm; range, 52 to 80mm) was performed by securing it from the lateral to the medial fibrous trigones. Annular reduction was performed selectively on the commissures, false commissures, and areas of posterior leaflet resection. Mitral valve function, gradients, and areas were assessed perioperatively and annually during a median follow-up of 4.1years (interquartile range, 2.7 to 5.4 years) and was 98% complete. There were 2 operative and 7 late deaths; survival at 5 years was 97.2%. Three patients were discharged from the hospital with mild to moderate MR, and during follow-up a total of 14 patients had MR greater than mild and 1 patient had MR greater than moderate. Mitral valve re-repair was performed in 1 patient who exhibited mitral stenosis. Freedom from MR greater than mild at 5 years was 93.3%. Selective reduction of the mitral annulus with a posterior band without predetermining its length during mitral valve repair for degenerative MR provides excellent functional results.

Feasibility and Efficacy of Mitral Valve Repair for Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation in the Elderly

The number of elderly patients who require surgical treatment for mitral regurgitation (MR) is increasing. However, the feasibility and efficacy of mitral valve repair in elderly patients are unclear. We retrospectively reviewed 55 patients, aged ≥75 years, who underwent mitral valve repair for degenerative MR between 1991 and 2011. All patients were followed up for 4.7 ± 3.4 years. The patients aged ≥75 years were more symptomatic and had a higher incidence of persistent atrial fibrillation and pulmonary hypertension than those aged &lt;75 years. Thirty-day and in-hospital mortality was 1.8% and 7.3%, respectively, and the 5-year survival rate was 81.6% ± 5.8%. The leading cause of late death was stroke, which primarily occurred in patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation. Except for a single failure of repair due to technical reasons, there was no recurrence of severe MR or reoperation on the mitral valve. In the late follow-up period, the mean left ventricular diastolic diameter significantly decreased and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was approximately 60%. Most patients had mild symptoms at follow-up. Mitral valve repair can provide satisfactory early as well as long-term outcomes and can preserve left ventricular function even in the elderly.

Tricuspid Regurgitation after Mitral Valve Repair for Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation

We examined changes of TR (tricuspid regurgitation) after mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) and investigated their contributing parameters. We divided 205 patients undergoing mitral valve repair for degenerative MR into 3 groups: up-grade (n = 65), down-grade (n = 29), and no-change (n = 111) of TR during postoperative follow-up. Preoperative, immediate postoperative, and mid-term postoperative parameters included MR grade, right ventricular (RV) pressure, RV Tei index, left ventricular Tei index, and presence of atrial fibrillation. Preoperative incidence of atrial fibrillation in the down-grade group was lower (7%) than those in the other groups (37% and 34%). In the immediate postoperative stage, the TR grade of the up-grade group was significantly lower (p <0.001) and RV Tei index of the downgrade group was significantly lower (p = 0.049). In mid-term postoperative stage, the TR grade (p <0.001) and RV Tei index (p = 0.034) of the down-grade group were significantly lower, and the MR up-grade in the TR up-grade group was significantly frequent (p = 0.008). TR became deteriorated even after the operation in about 30% and remained unchanged in about 50%. The RV Tei index can be a reliable parameter to predict postoperative improvement of TR. The postoperative MR up-grade was related to the TR up-grade.

Impact of the maze procedure and postoperative atrial fibrillation on progression of functional tricuspid regurgitation in patients undergoing degenerative mitral repair

The aim of this study is to investigate the factors contributing to the progression of functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after mitral repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) in relation to pre and postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) and performance of the maze procedure. We assessed 398 patients with less than moderate TR who did not undergo tricuspid valve repair at the time of isolated mitral valve repair for degenerative MR between January 1999 and January 2010. Clinical follow-up was complete in 385 patients (96.7%) with a median follow-up of 48.3 months (range 0.13-148.5). During this time, there were 21 late deaths (5.5%) and 17 major complications (4.4%), including 11 reoperations for MR recurrence (2.9%). On late follow-up echocardiography performed on 395 patients (median 44.6 months, range 6.0-147.3), 34 (9.6%) experienced moderate or greater MR and 16 (4.5%) experienced moderate or greater TR. The 5-year freedom from moderate or greater MR and moderate or greater TR rates were 88.3 ± 2.1 and 95.3 ± 1.5%, respectively. Time-updated Cox regression analysis showed that male gender [hazard ratio (HR) 3.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-11.40, P = 0.016], New York Heart Association functional class III or IV (HR 2.64, 95% CI 0.88-8.00, P = 0.085), preoperative AF without maze (HR 10.48, 95% CI 2.49-44.21, P = 0.001), and postoperative AF (HR 14.56, 95% CI 4.46-47.58, P < 0.001) were significant risk factors for postoperative moderate or greater TR. Of the 79 patients with preoperative AF, 68 (86.1%) underwent concomitant maze procedures. Of them, eight (11.8%) experienced late AF (>3 months) recurrence. Freedom from AF at 5 years after the concomitant maze procedure was 87.8 ± 4.6%. Preoperative AF without the maze procedure and postoperative AF can contribute to the development of moderate or greater functional TR after mitral repair for degenerative MR.

Ischemic Versus Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation: Does Etiology Affect Survival?

Ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) is associated with poor survival and degenerative MR with excellent survival. We hypothesized that in some patients with degenerative MR requiring concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), ischemic disease would dominate prognosis, resulting in survival as poor as in patients with ischemic MR. Thus, we (1) determined survival impact of etiology (degenerative vs ischemic) after combined mitral valve repair and CABG and (2) explored survival differences within etiology groups. From 1985 to 2003, 710 patients underwent mitral valve repair for degenerative MR and concomitant CABG (two diseases); 400 patients had mitral annuloplasty and CABG for functional ischemic MR (one disease). Patients were propensity-matched on demography, symptoms, comorbidities, coronary artery disease, and left ventricular function. Survival was compared between matched groups and within groups. Compared with patients with degenerative MR, those with ischemic MR had more extensive coronary artery disease, worse ventricular function, more comorbidities, and more symptoms (p < 0.05). Unadjusted 5-year survivals were 64% and 82% for patients with ischemic and degenerative MR, respectively. However, 123 ischemic and degenerative MR matched pairs had equivalently poor 5-year survival (p > 0.9), 66% and 65%, respectively. Among patients with degenerative MR, survival varied widely, depending largely on ischemic burden and extent of left ventricular dysfunction. The large survival discrepancy between patients with ischemic and degenerative MR is attributable to differences in patient profile, particularly extent of ischemic disease and left ventricular dysfunction. Thus, ischemic and degenerative MR patients with equivalent characteristics have equivalently poor survival.