Résumé
Objective · To assess the morphological changes of mitral valve geometry after mitral valve repair by using real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiography. Methods · The clinical data including 3D echocardiography of 36 patients undergoing mitral valve repair for mitral valve prolapse and 56 patients without mitral valve diseases were collected. Parameters of mitral annular and leaflet geometry were acquired and analyzed. Results · The ellipse index of the two-dimensional view (E2D), and non-planar leaflet angle (θNPA) were decreased, while other parameters were increased significantly in patients with mitral valve prolapse compared with controls before mitral valve repair. After repair, patients displayed larger θNPA, and still smaller E2D.Some parameters also get smaller, such as the anterior to posterior diameter of the mitral annulus, the anterolateral to posteromedial coaptation diameter,the minimum circumference of the three-dimensional view of the annulus, the minimum area of the two-dimensional view of the annulus, the exposed area of the anterior leaflet, inter-commissural diameter. Other parameters were not changed significantly. All parameters showed no significant difference between respect group and resect group in posterior valve prolapse before and after mitral valve repair. Conclusion · The repair procedure can restore the function of the mitral valve effectively. In view of the morphology, the geometry of the mitral valve annulus is still different from the normal apparently after the mitral valve repair, but the normal morphology of the leaflets can be regained. It seems to have similar curative effect morphologically for patients with posterior leaflet prolapse to have respect or resect strategy.
Résumé
BACKGROUND: The extent of mitral annular (MA) remodeling and dysfunction is correlated with the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) as well as left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) dilation. MA dysfunction may be a useful prognostic factor for operative timing and MR recurrence after successful mitral valve (MV) repair. The aim of this study was to evaluate additive prognostic factors of MA non-planarity using real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiography (RT3D-TEE) analysis in patients with chronic severe MR and preserved LV systolic function. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with chronic severe MR and preserved LV systolic function scheduled for MV repair were prospectively enrolled. Echocardiographic studies were performed before surgery and postoperatively within 2 weeks and at least 6 months after surgery. RT3D-TEE was performed before the operation and immediately post-operative. RESULTS: Mean age was 55.4 ± 15.1 years and 24 were male. Annulus height/body surface area (BSA) obtained via RT3D-TEE was correlated with the degree of postoperative LA remodeling. Patients were divided into two groups by average baseline annulus height/BSA. Patients with normal annular height had a smaller postoperative LV end-diastolic dimension, LV end-systolic dimension and LA volume index than patients with decreased annular height. Preoperative annulus height/BSA values strongly predicted postoperative LA remodeling. CONCLUSION: MA height may be a useful prognostic factor for determining the timing of surgery in patients with chronic primary MR. Annulus height/BSA assessed via RT3D-TEE may provide additional information predictive of postoperative LA remodeling after successful MV repair.