Elevated B-type natriuretic peptide in asymptomatic men with chronic aortic regurgitation and preserved left ventricular systolic function

Serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels reflect myocardial strain and are known to be elevated in patients with heart failure. To determine if BNP levels are elevated in patients with aortic regurgitation, we measured BNP levels in patients with chronic asymptomatic aortic regurgitation and normal left ventricular systolic function.     

Role of the electrocardiogram in assessing irreversibly impaired left ventricular systolic function in chronic mitral regurgitation

The study set out to determine whether the electrocardiogram (ECG) might be useful in assessing left ventricular (LV) volumes and systolic function in patients with pure, chronic mitral regurgitation. To do this preoperative haemodynamic and angiocardiographic data, QRS duration, total 12-lead QRS amplitude, R peak time in V6, R peak delay in V6 (RPDV6) (i.e. the R peak in V6 is later than the S peak in V2) and a T wave score assigned to the extent of LV strain were evaluated. Twenty-seven out of 62 patients were subjected to stepwise discriminant multivariate analysis. Radionuclide (RN) LV ejection fraction (EF) was obtained postoperatively; RPDV6, gender, LVEF and LV end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) were selected in decreasing order of discriminatory importance to identify 13 (81.3%) of 16 patients with RNEF greater than or equal to 50% and 10 (90.9%) of 11 with RNEF less than 50% at rest. Preoperatively, 18 subjects with RPDV6 had a significantly greater end-systolic volume index (ESVI) (75.6 +/- 37.8 ml.m-2 versus 50.7 +/- 31.5 ml.m-2, P = 0.003), greater EDVI (196.9 +/- 73.4 ml.m-2 versus 155.2 +/- 48.5 ml.m-2, P = 0.034) and lower LVEF (61.1 +/- 11.9% versus 68.8 +/- 12.7%, P = 0.014) compared to 44 cases without this finding. With respect to postoperative RNEF, eight subjects with RPDV6 had a significantly lower EF compared to 19 cases without this finding (40.1 +/- 8.2% versus 56.0 +/- 9.9%, P = 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Relationship between left ventricular geometry and left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation

Background: Chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) is a form of volume overload inducing left ventricle (LV) dilatation. Myocardial fibrosis, apoptosis, progressive LV dilatation, and eventually LV dysfunction are seen with the progression of disease. The aim of the study was to assess the relation between LV geometry and LV systolic and diastolic functions in patients with chronic severe AR. Methods: The study population consisted of 88 patients with chronic severe AR and 42 healthy controls. The LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was calculated. Subjects were divided as Group I (controls, n = 42), Group II (LVEF > 50%, n = 47), and Group III (LVEF < 50%, n = 41). Transmitral early and late diastolic velocities and deceleration time were measured. The annular systolic (Sa) and diastolic (Ea and Aa) velocities were recorded. Diastolic function was classified as normal, impaired relaxation (IR), pseudonormalization (PN), and restrictive pattern (RP). Results: The LVEF was similar in Group I and II, while significantly lower in Group III. Sa velocity was progressively decreasing, but LV long- and short-axis diameters were increasing from Group I to Group III. Forty-six, 31 and 11 patients had IR, PN, and RP, respectively. LV long-axis systolic and diastolic diameters were significantly increasing, while LVEF and Sa velocity were significantly decreasing from patients with IR to patients with RP. The LV long-axis diastolic diameter is independently associated with LV systolic and diastolic functions. Conclusions: The LV long-axis diastolic diameter is closely related with LV systolic and diastolic functions in patients with chronic severe AR.     

An improved index of left ventricular function in chronic mitral regurgitation

The ratio of end-systolic wall stress (ESWS) to volume index (ESVI) has been proposed as a useful index of left ventricular (LV) function in chronic mitral regurgitation (MR). However, although this ratio reflects isometric contraction, the chronic changes in LV architecture caused by MR may affect its usefulness. An index was evaluated that incorporated the ejection fraction--(TVEF [tension-volume ejection fraction] = ESWS/ESVI X EF)--thus combining both isometric and ejection phase parameters. Forty patients with symptomatic MR but no other valvular or coronary disease had valve replacement between 1980 and 1984. Twenty-nine patients (group A) were in New York Heart Association class I or II postoperatively. The remaining patients (group B) were in class III or IV or died. Four preoperative LV function indexes were compared. The means of all indexes in groups A and B were significantly different, but only TVEF completely separated the groups. A TVEF of less than 1.47 uniformly predicted a poor operative outcome.     

Prognostic significance of mitral regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Background Mitral regurgitation (MR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) frequently develop in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Ventricular volume overload that occurs in patients with MR and TR may lead to progression of myocardial dysfunction. We hypothesized that MR and TR would provide markers of risk in patients with LVSD. Methods We reviewed clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic data on 1421 consecutive patients with LVSD (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%). Predictors of survival (freedom from death or United Network for Organ Sharing [UNOS]-1 transplantation) were identified in a multivariable analysis with a Cox proportional hazards analysis. The impact of MR and TR (none to mild, moderate, or severe) then was assessed separately with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results During the follow-up period (mean ± SD, 365 ±364 days), death occurred in 435 study subjects (31%) and UNOS-1 transplantation in 28 subjects (2%). Multivariable predictors of poor outcome included increasing MR and TR grade, cancer, coronary artery disease, and absence of an implantable cardiac defibrillator. Relative risk was 1.84 (95% CI 1.43-2.38) for severe MR and 1.55 (95% CI 1.14-2.11) for severe TR. Survival with Kaplan-Meier analysis related inversely to MR grade (none to mild 1004 ±31 days, moderate 795 ±34 days, severe 628 ±47 days, P < .0001) and TR grade (none to mild 977 ±28 days, moderate 737 ±40 days, severe 658 ±55 days, P = .0001). Conclusion Patients with severe MR or TR represent high-risk subsets of patients with LVSD. Future study is warranted to determine whether pharmaceutical or surgical strategies to relieve MR and TR have a favorable impact on survival. (Am Heart J 2002;144:524-9.)     

Mitral valve replacement in patients with severe mitral regurgitation and impaired left ventricular function.

We have studied short- and mid-term effects of preservation and excision of the mitral subvalvar support during mitral valve replacement in 40 patients, who had developed moderate to severe degree of left ventricular function impairment, secondary to pure severe mitral regurgitation. These patients had valve replacement, because valve anatomy was unsuitable for reconstructive procedures. Mitral subvalvar support was excised and valve replaced with a Bj?rk-Shiley prosthesis, in 10 patients with moderately impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (mean 32% +/- 1.2%) and in 18 patients with severely impaired left ventricular function (left ventricular ejection fraction: 22% +/- 0.8%). In 12 patients with severely impaired left ventricular function (left ventricular ejection fraction: 20% +/- 1%) posterior subvalvar apparatus was preserved and valve replaced with a bioprosthesis. Prognosis of patients with moderately impaired left ventricular function was not influenced by the loss of chordopapillary support. Actuarial survival at 8 and 10 years was 46% +/- 7.8% for patients with severely impaired left ventricular function with chordopapillary support excised and 70% +/- 10% for patients with severely impaired left ventricular function with chordopapillary support preserved (p less than 0.01). Preservation of mitral subvalvar support is important in patients with severely impaired left ventricular function (left ventricular ejection fraction less than 25%).     

Comparison of left ventricular-biventricular pacing on ventricular synchrony, mitral regurgitation, and global left ventricular function in patients with severe chronic heart failure

We compared the effects of left ventricular and biventricular pacing in 16 patients (15 men and 1 woman; aged 64 +/- 8 years) with severe heart failure by conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Intraventricular synchrony, regional and global systolic function, diastolic function and filling time, and the severity of secondary mitral regurgitation were similar between left ventricular and biventricular pacing.     

Effect of left ventricular global systolic function, mitral regurgitation, and left ventricular inflow pattern on exercise echocardiography results

Diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) by exercise echocardiography is usually based on rest or exercise-induced regional wall-motion abnormalities. Mitral regurgitation (MR), left ventricular (LV) global systolic function, and LV inflow measurements can be assessed during exercise echocardiography; however, their diagnostic value has not been analyzed consistently. Treadmill exercise echocardiography and coronary angiography were performed in 120 patients (94 male, 26 female; mean age 61 +/- 10 years [+/- 1 SD]) to evaluate known or suspected CAD. Positive exercise echocardiography was defined either as a rest- or exercise-induced regional wall-motion abnormalities. An abnormal response of LV ejection fraction (EF), LV volumes, MR (as assessed by color Doppler), and LV inflow pattern was defined as a fall in LVEF, a LV end-diastolic volume increase, a LV end-systolic volume increase, a new or increased MR, or a change from an impaired relaxation pattern (E < A) to a "pseudonormalized" pattern (E > A) from rest to exercise, respectively. CAD (> or = 50% luminal narrowing in at least one vessel) was found in 89 (74%) patients. EE-based regional wall-motion abnormality analysis was positive in 95 (79%) patients and negative in 25 (21%) patients. Feasible images for regional wall-motion abnormalities, LVEF and volumes, LV inflow, and MR measurements were acquired in 90% of patients. Regional wall-motion abnormality analysis and LVEF decrease provided the greatest sensitivities for CAD (94% and 75%, respectively), while the highest specificity was given by a new or increased MR (90%), the development of a pseudonormalized pattern (88%), and the appearance of angina (87%). A positive electrocardiogram (ECG) finding in patients with interpretable ECGs provided good sensitivity and specificity (67% and 85%, respectively). In conclusion, a complete rest and exercise Doppler echocardiography approach is feasible in most patients. Regional wall-motion abnormalities are the most accurate exercise echocardiography variable for diagnosing CAD, whereas exercise ECG remains a good test in patients with interpretable ECGs. Exercise echocardiography, exercise ECG, newly developed or increased MR, and change to a pseudonormalized LV inflow pattern are highly specific.     

Impaired left ventricular systolic function in mitral stenosis

OBJECTIVES: Left ventricular dysfunction is known in patients with mitral stenosis, but the incidence and cause remain unclear. The incidence and the factors related to left ventricular dysfunction were investigated in strictly selected patients with isolated mitral stenosis. METHODS: This study investigated 33 patients (5 males, 28 females) with isolated mitral stenosis aged 56 +/- 9 years. Left atrial dimension, left ventricular diastolic and systolic dimensions, mitral valve area, and mean transmitral pressure gradient were measured by echocardiography. Left ventricular ejection fraction was measured by Simpson's method. Patients were divided into two groups according to the ejection fraction (< 50%, > or = 50%). RESULTS: Seven patients (21%) had decreased left ventricular contraction and 26(79%) had normal contraction. The incidence of patients with atrial fibrillation in the low ejection fraction group was significantly higher than in the normal ejection fraction group(86% vs 31%, p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the severity of mitral stenosis or other echocardiographic indices between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Low ejection fraction was present in 21% of patients with mitral stenosis. Since atrial fibrillation was more common in patients with low ejection fraction than those with normal ejection fraction, the rhythm disturbance may be related to the decreased left ventricular contraction.     

Prognostic impact of systolic hypertension on asymptomatic patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation and initially normal left ventricular performance at rest

The influence of systolic hypertension (SH) on the natural history of chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) and the clinical effect of antihypertensive medication on patients who have hypertension and AR are incompletely defined. Therefore, we reviewed the clinical course of 80 unoperated patients who were entered prospectively into an assessment of natural history of AR and its predictors and were asymptomatic with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at rest at study entry; 30 of 80 patients had SH (systolic blood pressure >140 mm Hg); 20 of 80 patients (16 had SH) used antihypertensive drugs for the long term (not mandated by protocol). During an average 7.2-year event-free follow-up, 24 patients developed symptoms alone (n = 14), subnormal LVEF with or without symptoms (n = 8), or died suddenly (n = 2). SH tripled the average annual risk of cardiac events (8.47% vs 2.85%, p = 0.004). The effect of systolic blood pressure was independent of age, gender, diastolic blood pressure, LV diastolic dimension, fractional shortening, and LVEF at rest (p = 0.004 to <0.008). However, positive prognostic interactions existed between systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure (p <0.001), LVEF during exercise (p <0.001), change in LVEF from rest to exercise (p <0.001), and the contractility index (p <0.02). Among patients who had SH, antihypertensive therapy predicted increased event risk (average annual risk 15.46% vs 3.98%, p <0.02) and remained predictive when analysis was adjusted for potentially confounding subgroup variations at study entry (p <0.03, all models). In conclusion, SH portends poor clinical outcome in chronic severe AR. As a group, antihypertensive drugs do not mitigate outcome, although the effect of individual drugs is uncertain and at least some may be deleterious. The theoretically based practice of giving antihypertensive drugs to patients who have AR requires reexamination.     

Prevalence of unsuspected mitral regurgitation and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease and acute pulmonary edema associated with normal or depressed left ventricular systolic function

To define the prevalence and role of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, LV diastolic dysfunction and mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with acute pulmonary edema, 40 patients with coronary artery disease and acute pulmonary edema were prospectively evaluated within 36 hours of presentation. LV ejection fraction and 3 parameters of LV diastolic function were measured with radionuclide ventriculography, whereas MR was assessed with Doppler echocardiography. LV ejection fraction was normal in 11 (27%) and depressed in 29 (73%) patients. Moderate or severe MR without LV diastolic dysfunction was common and equally prevalent in patients with and without LV systolic dysfunction (33 vs 38%; difference not significant). Diastolic dysfunction without MR was less frequent but equally prevalent in patients with and without systolic dysfunction (17 vs 27%; difference not significant). Two (18%) of 11 patients without and 12 (33%) of 36 patients with LV systolic dysfunction had both MR and LV diastolic dysfunction. Furthermore, MR was clinically silent and unsuspected in two-thirds of all patients with MR, regardless of a normal or depressed systolic function. These data show that there is a high prevalence of unrecognized moderate to severe MR in patients with acute pulmonary edema, regardless of the presence or absence of LV systolic dysfunction. Furthermore, the prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction without MR is relatively low even in patients with normal LV systolic function and pulmonary edema. Thus, unrecognized MR may be an important contributor to the syndrome of acute pulmonary edema in patients with normal or depressed LV systolic function.     

Catheter-based intervention for symptomatic patient with severe mitral regurgitation and very poor left ventricular systolic function - Safe but no room for complacency

Many patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction have concomitant mitral regurgitation (MR). Their symptoms and prognosis worsen with increasing severity of MR. Percutaneous MitraClip^® can be used safely to reduce the severity of MR even in patients with advanced heart failure and is associated with improved symptoms, quality of life and exercise tolerance. However, a few patients with very poor left ventricular systolic function may experience significant haemodynamic disturbance in the peri-procedural period. We present three such patients, highlighting some of the potential problems encountered and discuss their possible pathophysiological mechanisms and safety measures.     

Assessment of heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction after cardiac pacing in patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function

BACKGROUND: There is an accumulating data suggesting the deleterious effects of right ventricular pacing on left ventricular performance. Such pacing mimics left bundle branch block resulting in a prolonged QRS duration and causes ventricular asynchrony. AIMS: The purpose of this study is to assess heart failure and left ventricular systolic function after cardiac pacemaker implantation in patients with atrioventricular block and preserved systolic left ventricular function. Secondly, we sought to search for predictive factors of developing left ventricular dysfunction after pacing. METHODS: In this prospective study, we included patients who had been implanted for at least six months. They underwent medical history and examination, 12 leads electrocardiogram and echocardiography before pacemaker implantation and when attending to routine pacemaker follow up. RESULTS: Forty-three patients (22 men and 21 women, age 71+/-12 years) were included in this study. Twenty-nine patients had DDD pacing and 14 VVI pacing. The ventricular lead was implanted in the apex in all patients. After a median follow up of 18+/-11 months, 11 patients (25%) developed signs of congestive heart failure. NYHA was higher after implantation (1.64+/-0.7 versus 2.27+/-0.8, p>0.00001). Left ventricular ejection fraction decreased significantly during follow up (60+/-6% versus 51+/-13%, p=0.0002). Eleven (25%) patients developed left ventricular dysfunction. We compared patients who had left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) less or equal to 40% (group A) and patients having LV EF greater than 40% (group B) after implantation. Patients in group A had a paced QRS width significantly larger than group B (181+/-32 ms versus 151+/-26 ms, p=0.002), a significantly prolonged intra left ventricular electromechanical delay (115+/-59 ms versus 45+/-35 ms, p<0.0001) and interventricular delay (44+/-29 ms versus 27+/-18 ms, p=0.02). Age, sex, diabetes hypertension, pacing mode and percentage of ventricular pacing were similar in both groups. A paced QRS width of 180 ms had the best sensitivity and specificity for detecting left ventricular dysfunction: sensitivity=54% and specificity=93%, p=0.01, area under the curve=0.75. CONCLUSION: Patients with atrioventricular block and preserved left ventricular systolic function at baseline decrease significantly left ventricular ejection fraction after pacing. Induced ventricular asynchronism plays a major role in the deterioration of left ventricular function. Prolonged paced QRS width is a good predictor of left ventricular dysfunction after pacing. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these data.     

Regression of mitral regurgitation after cardiac resynchronization therapy in an adult with preserved left ventricular function and right ventricular pacing.

We report the case of a 60-year-old patient with preserved ventricular function and no organic mitral leaflet disease implanted with a dual-chamber pacemaker. Right ventricular pacing induced a major ventricular dyssynchrony, a severe mitral regurgitation, and symptoms of congestive heart failure. Upgrading to a biventricular device was associated with a decrease in the symptoms, the ventricular dyssynchrony, and the mitral regurgitation.