The Role of Arterial Hypertension in Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Cardiogenic shock without hypotension in acute severe primary mitral regurgitation: a case report

A 60-year-old gentleman who presented with features of end-organ hypoperfusion despite initial hypertension was promptly diagnosed with cardiogenic shock following evidence of hyperlactatemia on biochemistry and left ventricular global hypokinesis with severe mitral regurgitation on transthoracic echocardiogram. He responded well to dobutamine and later underwent definitive surgical mitral valve replacement.

Mitral Annular Elasticity Determines Severity of Regurgitation in Barlow's Disease

AIMS

Barlow's disease (BD) with late systolic mitral regurgitation provides diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The mechanisms of the regurgitation are still unclear. We hypothesized that the onset and the severity of late systolic regurgitation are determined by annulus dynamics and the mechanical stresses imposed by the left ventricle.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Ten patients with BD and mitral annulus disjunction (MAD) were compared with ten healthy controls. Resting blood pressure (BP) was measured and transthoracic three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography was analyzed using a holographic display that allows tracking and measurements of mitral annulus surface area (ASA) throughout the cardiac cycle. A novel annulus elastance index (dASA/dP) was calculated between aortic valve opening and onset of mitral regurgitation. Severity of MAD was quantified as the disjunction index (mm*degree). Leaflet coaptation area was calculated using a finite element model. Peak systolic ASA in controls and patients were 9.3±0.6 and 21.1±3.1 cm², respectively (p<0.001). In patients ASA increased rapidly during LV ejection and onset of mitral regurgitation coincided closely with peak upslope of annulus area change (dASA/dt). The finite element model showed a close association between rapid annulus displacement and coaptation area deficit in BD. Systolic annulus elastance index (0.058±0.036 cm²/mmHg) correlated strongly with disjunction index (r=0.91, p<0.0001). Moreover, regurgitation volume showed a positive correlation with systolic BP (r=0.80, p<0.01) CONCLUSION: The present pilot study supports the hypothesis that annulus dilatation may accentuate mitral valve regurgitation in patients with Barlow's disease. A novel annulus elastance index may predict the severity of mitral valve regurgitation in selected patients.

Optimal Management of Mitral Regurgitation Due to Ruptured Mitral Chordae Tendineae in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

There is continued controversy regarding surgical management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and intrinsic mitral valve disease; some clinicians favor prosthetic replacement as this corrects left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction and valve leakage. In this study, we investigated the management and late outcome of operation for mitral regurgitation (MR) due to ruptured chordae tendineae in patients with HCM. We analyzed 49 consecutive patients with HCM and MR due to ruptured mitral valve chordae. Echocardiograms and operative reports were reviewed to classify valve anatomy and surgical methods. Information on late outcomes was obtained from electronic medical records and follow-up surveys. The mean age of the 36 men and 13 women was 61.9 ± 12.5 years; significant resting or provoked LVOT obstruction was present at the time of surgery in 46 patients. During the index operation, mitral valve repair was performed in 45 patients, and prosthetic replacement was necessary for 4 patients. Concomitant septal myectomy was performed in 46 patients. There were no hospital deaths or deaths within 30 days of operation. Five and ten-year survival estimates (Kaplan-Meier) were 92% and 71%. During follow-up at a median of 7.9 years, 3 patients underwent reoperation for MV replacement, 5 days, 3 years, and 14 years following valve repair. Ruptured mitral chordae may result in severe mitral valve regurgitation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Valvuloplasty at the time of septal myectomy is safe with an acceptably low rate of recurrent MR requiring prosthetic replacement.