Predicting left ventricular dysfunction after valve repair for mitral regurgitation due to leaflet prolapse: additive value of left ventricular end-systolic dimension to ejection fraction

Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is the first cause of late mortality after mitral valve surgery. In this retrospective analysis, we studied the association between preoperative echocardiographic LV measures and occurrence of LV dysfunction after mitral valve repair (MVR).

Between 1991 and 2009, 335 consecutive patients underwent MVR for severe mitral regurgitation due to leaflet prolapse in our institution. Echocardiography was performed preoperatively and at 10.8 (9.1–12.0) months after surgery in 303 patients who represented the study population. Cardiac events were recorded during follow-up. LV ejection fraction (EF) decreased from 68 ± 9% before surgery to 59 ± 9% post-operatively (P < 0.001). Preoperative EF <64% and LV end-systolic diameter (ESD) ≥37 mm were the best cut-off values for the prediction of post-operative LV dysfunction (EF < 50%). On the basis of a combined analysis, the occurrence of post-operative LV dysfunction was 9% when EF was ≥64% and LVESD <37 mm, 21% with EF <64% or LVESD ≥37 mm, and 33% with EF <64% and LVESD ≥37 mm (P for trend <0.001). The combined variable EF < 64% and LVESD ≥ 37 mm added incremental prognostic value to the multivariable regression model (P = 0.001).

Simple preoperative echocardiography measures allow the prediction of LV dysfunction after MVR in patients with leaflet prolapse. Patients with preoperative EF ≥64% and LVESD <37 mm incur relatively low risk of post-operative LV dysfunction.