Pulmonary arterial pressure detects functional mitral stenosis after annuloplasty for primary mitral regurgitation: An exercise stress echocardiographic study

Introduction

The restrictive mitral valve annuloplasty (RMA) is the treatment of choice for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR), but postoperative functional mitral stenosis remains a matter of debate. In this study, we sought to determine the impact of mitral stenosis on the functional capacity of patients.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study, 32 patients with degenerative MR who underwent RMA using a complete ring were evaluated. All participants performed treadmill exercise test and underwent echocardiographic examinations before and after exercise.

Results

The patients’ mean age was 50.1 ± 12.5 years. After a mean follow‐up of 14.1 ± 5.9 months (6–32 months), the number of patients with a mitral valve peak gradient >7.5 mm Hg, a mitral valve mean gradient >3 mm Hg, and a pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) ≥25 mm Hg at rest were 50%, 40.6%, and 62.5%, respectively. 13 patients (40.6%) had incomplete treadmill exercise test. All hemodynamic parameters were higher at peak exercise compared with at rest levels (all P < .05). The PAP at rest and at peak exercise as well as peak transmitral gradient at peak exercise were higher in patients with incomplete exercise compared with complete exercise test (all P < .05). The PAP at rest (a sensitivity and a specificity of 84.6% and 52.6%, respectively; area under the curve [AUC] = .755) and at peak exercise (a sensitivity and a specificity of 100% and 47.4%, respectively; AUC = .755) discriminated incomplete exercise test.

Conclusion

The RMA for degenerative MR was associated with a functional stenosis and the PAP at rest and at peak exercise discriminated low exercise capacity.