Transcatheter mitral valve‐in‐ring implantation in prohibitive surgical risk patients: Single center initial experience in the United States

Surgical mitral annuloplasty ring failure can result in symptomatic mitral stenosis or regurgitation which carries significant morbidity and mortality. Reoperation carries high surgical risks and the feasibility of transcatheter mitral valve‐in‐ring implantation is suggested by several case reports and series. In this article, we report two MVIR procedures focusing on preprocedural planning issues and intraprocedural tips. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Transesophageal echocardiographic diagnosis of a dehisced Carpentier mitral ring

We describe an unusual case of gross dehiscence of a Carpentier mitral ring, not due to bacterial endocarditis, causing severe mitral valve insufficiency and cardiac failure. Diagnosis was made by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Mitral valve replacement was then performed.     

经导管介入治疗二尖瓣疾病的研究进展

二尖瓣反流（Mitral valve regurgitation,MR）逐渐成为心脏瓣膜病中最常见的疾病之一。虽然外科手术在治疗MR中起到重要作用,但由于围手术期的风险过大、老年人基础情况较差等原因,许多患者禁忌外科手术。近年来,经导管治疗MR装置的出现,给治疗MR带来了新的选择,但同时也面临着许多挑战。本文综述了经导管治疗MR装置的技术特征及其临床试验的结果。     

Three-Dimensional Echocardiography: Advancements in Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Mitral Valve Morphology in Mitral Valve Prolapse

Degenerative mitral valve disease (MVD) is the leading cause of organic mitral regurgitation (MR), one of the most common valvular heart disease in western countries. Substantial progresses in the surgical treatment of degenerative MVD have improved life expectancy of patients with significant MR. However, prognosis, surgical decision and timing of surgery strongly depend on the accurate characterization of mitral valve (MV) anatomy and pathology and on the precise quantification of MR. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography, a major technological breakthrough in the field of cardiovascular imaging, provides several advantages over two-dimensional (2D) imaging in the qualitative and quantitative evaluations of MV apparatus. In this review, we focus on the contribution of this new modality to the diagnosis of degenerative MVD, the quantitative assessment of MR severity, the selection and monitoring of surgical and percutaneous procedures, the evaluation of procedural outcomes. The results of a systematic and exhaustive search of the existing literature, restricted to real-time 3D echocardiography in adults, are here reported.     

The QuantumCor device for treating mitral regurgitation: An animal study

Objectives : The mitral annular contraction achieved could help reduce mitral regurgitation (MR), and with appropriate modifications, be applied to human subjects providing a potentially effective percutaneous method of valve repair. Background : MR is an important source of morbidity and is an independent predictor of mortality. A variety of percutaneous approaches are being developed to address this issue. We introduce a novel potential method utilizing radiofrequency (RF) energy to heat and shrink the mitral valve annulus in an animal model. Methods : In open‐heart procedures in 16 healthy sheep (six with naturally occurring MR), we used a malleable probe (QuantumCor, Lake Forest, CA) that conforms to the annular shape to deliver RF energy via a standard generator to replicate a surgical mitral annular ring. Seven sheep were followed chronically and their mitral annulus dimensions measured serially. Results : All sheep underwent intracardiac echocardiography or direct circumferential measurement of the mitral annulus before and after RF therapy. RF therapy was administered in less than 4 min in each case, and the mean anteroposterior (AP) annular distance was reduced by a mean of 23.8% (AP diameter reduction 5.75 ± 0.86 mm, P < 0.001) acutely. In the six sheep with nonischemic MR, regurgitation was eliminated. Acute histopathology (HP) demonstrated no damage to the leaflets, coronary sinuses, or coronary arteries. At the end of the intended 6‐month period of the chronic part of the study, four of the seven animals survived. The four treatment animals showed significant reductions in mitral A‐P dimension, with a percent diameter reduction of 26.4% (AP diameter reduction 7 ± 2.3 mm). Conclusion : The application of RF directly to heat the mitral annulus has resulted in sustained contraction of the annulus in this limited preclinical animal study. With further study and possible modifications, it holds promise for future application in human subjects with MR. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Stage‐based approach to predict left ventricular reverse remodeling after mitral repair

BackgroundAlthough predictors of reverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling postmitral valve repair are critical for guiding perioperative decision‐making, there remains a paucity of randomized, prospective data to support the criteria that potential predictor variables must meet.Methods and ResultsThe CAMRA CardioLink‐2 randomized trial allocated 104 patients to either leaflet resection or preservation strategies for mitral repair. The correlation of indexed left ventricular end‐systolic volume (LVESVI), indexed left ventricular end‐diastolic volume (LVEDVI), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were tested with univariate analysis and subsequently with multivariate analysis to determine independent predictors of reverse remodeling at discharge and at 12 months postoperatively. At discharge, both LVESVI and LVEDVI were independently associated with their preoperative values (p < .001 for both) and LVEF by preoperative LVESVI (p < .001). Mitral ring size was favorably associated with the change in LVESVI (p < .05) and LVEF (p < .01) from predischarge to 12 months, while the mean mitral valve gradient after repair was adversely associated with the change in LVESVI (p < .05) and LVEDVI (p < .05). No significant associations were found between reverse remodeling and coaptation height nor mitral repair technique.ConclusionsBeyond confirming the lack of impact of mitral repair technique on reverse remodeling, this investigation suggests that recommending surgery before significant LV dilatation or dysfunction, as well as higher postoperative mitral valve hemodynamic performance, may enhance remodeling capacity following mitral repair.     

Percutaneous leaflet repair and annuloplasty for mitral regurgitation

Percutaneous therapy for the treatment of mitral regurgitation has emerged rapidly over the past few years. Most of the percutaneous approaches are modifications of existing surgical approaches to mitral annuloplasty or leaflet repair. Catheter-based devices mimic these surgical approaches with less procedural morbidity and mortality as a consequence of their less invasive nature. Percutaneous annuloplasty can be achieved indirectly via the coronary sinus or directly from retrograde left ventricular access. Catheter-based leaflet repair is accomplished using an implantable clip to mimic the surgical edge-to-edge technique. Several of these percutaneous approaches have been successfully used in patients to demonstrate proof of concept, while others have already stopped further development. There is increasing experience in both trials and practice to begin to define the clinical utility of percutanenous leaflet repair, and annuloplasty approaches are undergoing significant development.     

Short-Term Results on Leaflet Mobility in Patients Undergoing Rheumatic Mitral Valve Repair With an Efficient 4-Step Commissuroplasty Technique

BackgroundMitral valve stenosis (MS) is the primary pathologic feature of rheumatic mitral valve disease, and the complex repair affects its clinical outcome. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of the 4-step commisuroplasty “SCORe” procedure by assessing changes in the mobility of mitral valve leaflets and its clinical effects.MethodsFrom September 1, 2018, to January 13, 2019, patients with MS who underwent mitral valve repair with the SCORe procedure in the study center were analyzed in this prospective study. Mitral valve structure was assessed by transthoracic echocardiography pre- and postoperatively as well as during follow-up.ResultsIn total, 60 consecutive patients were examined. In 56 patients (93.3%), mitral valve orifice area (MVOA) was less than 1.5 cm², and mean (SD) MVOA for the whole cohort was 1.20 (0.34) cm². The mobility of the anterior leaflet was improved (P < .001) during the cardiac cycle postsurgery, but that of the posterior leaflet was not (P = .591). The mean (SD) coaptation length was increased significantly from 6.69 (1.32) mm to 7.92 (1.24) mm (P < .001) postoperatively. Mean (SD) MVOAs increased to 2.24 (0.38) cm2 postoperatively (P < .001). During the 1-year follow-up, there were no deaths or reoperations. Follow-up echocardiography revealed minor or mild regurgitation in 98.3% of patients.ConclusionThese findings demonstrated that the SCORe procedure can effectively improve the mobility of mitral leaflets and enlarge the valve orifice area in patients with rheumatic MS in China, with minimal complications and promising results.