Unique mechanism of mitral valve prolapse in atrial septal defect: Three-dimensional insights into mitral complex geometry using real-time transesophageal echocardiography

The Risk Factors of Mitral Regurgitation Deterioration After Secundum Atrial Septal Defect Closure

Background

Association between secundum Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and mitral valve (MV) disease has been recognized for decades. Secundum ASD closure can reduce mitral regurgitation (MR) degree. However, in some patients, deterioration of MR after ASD closure has been observed. We aimed to identify the risk factors of MR deterioration after ASD closure.

Methods

This was an observational retrospective cohort study. Data were collected from the registry and echocardiogram report. We evaluated all patients with ASD closure by surgery and transcatheterization without MR intervention from January 2012 until June 2021 at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta. We excluded patients with multiple ASD and ASD with severe MR requiring MV intervention. Risk factors for MR deterioration were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

A total of 242 patients who underwent post-secundum ASD closure were included. In multivariate analysis, ASD closure by surgery, large left atrial (LA) diameter (>40 mm), low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; <55%), and MV regurgitation degree were significant risk factors for MR worsening after ASD closure, with OR of 2.103 (95% CI 1.124-3.937); 2.871 (95% CI 1.032-7.985); 5.531 (95% CI 1.368-22.366); and 2.490 (95% CI 1.339-4.630) respectively.

Conclusion

ASD closure by surgery, large LA diameter (>40 mm), low LVEF (<55%), and MV regurgitation degree are independent significant risk factors for MR deterioration in post-secundum ASD closure patients. In adult ASD patients with reduced LV function, it is recommended to perform balloon testing and consider fenestrated closure, as low LVEF <55% has the highest risk of causing new or deteriorating MR.

Mitral annular disjunction with atrial septal defect in children: An intriguing association

Mitral annular disjunction (MAD) is defined as a separation between the mitral annulus and the left ventricular myocardium and is most often seen in association with mitral valve prolapse (MVP). MAD has been linked to ventricular arrhythmias in adults, independent of MVP. However, it has rarely been reported in children. We, hereby, report two cases of MAD associated with a large atrial septal defect (ASD). Thus far, there are no consensus guidelines for the management of MAD. The additional association of large ASD further complicates the decision-making in these patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the association of MAD with ASD. We further discuss the challenges in the management of this condition.

Mitral regurgitation outcomes after transcatheter atrial septal defect closure

BACKGROUND

Worsening mitral regurgitation (MR) is a complication of intervention for atrial septal defect (ASD). Little is known about mitral valve (MV) characteristics associated with worsening MR. We aimed to elucidate MR outcomes and predictors of worsening MR after transcatheter ASD closure.

METHODS

We analyzed changes in MR from prior to transcatheter ASD closure to 6 months after the procedure and predictors of worsening MR via baseline transthoracic echocardiography in 238 patients (64.7% females; mean age, 53 ± 22 years).

RESULTS

Worsening MR was defined as worsening to moderate in patients with less than or equal to mild MR at baseline or vena contracta width increasing of ≥2 mm by 6-month follow-up in patients with moderate MR. Worsening MR was observed in 29 patients (12.2%). The associated echocardiographic findings were pseudoprolapse, hamstringing, stiffness, and anteroposterior and intercommissural mitral annulus diameter in the univariable logistic regression analysis (all P < 0.05). Multivariable analysis after adjusting for age; long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation; and ASD size showed that models combining MV leaflet findings such as pseudoprolapse or hamstringing, or anterior leaflet stiffness with the ratio of the sum of anterior and posterior leaflet lengths to intercommissural mitral annulus diameter were statistically significant for predicting worsening MR (R2 = 0.393, P < 0.001 and R2 = 0.385, P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Worsening MR after transcatheter ASD closure might depend on MV leaflet findings and annulus size in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

Prevalence and Hemodynamic Consequences of Mitral Valve Abnormalities in Atrial Septal Defect

Background: Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common congenital heart disease in adults. Concomitant mitral valve disease in patients with ASD could have significant hemodynamic effects whit a great impact on managing this congenital defect. Objectives: This study evaluated the prevalence of mitral valve abnormalities and the hemodynamic burden associated with different types of ASD. Methods: This retrospective study reanalyzed 1,006 consecutive patients referred to Rajaie Heart Center in Tehran from March 2019 to February 2022. We evaluated adult patients with the diagnosis of a shunt at the atrial level. Diagnoses were made with 2D and 3D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). 3D analysis was performed with 3D zoom, mitral valve navigation (MVN), and full-volume and multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) modalities. We performed statistical analysis by SPSS version 22.0. The qualitative data were expressed as frequency and percentage. Data were compared between subgroups via Mann-Whitney U/Kruskal-Wallis tests for the interval variables, Pearson's chi-square test for nominal variables, and chi-square for trends test for ordinal variables. Results: The distribution of different ASD types was ostium secundum in 88.8% of cases, primum ASD in 0.9%, SVC-type sinus venosus ASD in 9%, IVC-type sinus venosus in 0.4%, and unroofed coronary sinus in 0.9%. We found mitral valve abnormalities in 21.1% of cases, and the most common mitral valve abnormality were prolaptic lesions (17.4%). Conclusions: Age, ASD size, estimated Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure (SPAP), and severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) were markedly higher were markedly higher among patients with MV anomalies, more over left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly lower among this group (P-value < 0.05).

Mitral valve prolapse in patients with atrial septal defect: A quantitative three-dimensional echocardiographic analysis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Mitral valve (MV) prolapse is highly prevalent in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD). Abnormal left ventricular geometry has been proposed as the main mechanism of MV prolapse in ASD, however, the changes in the morphology of the MV apparatus remain to be clarified. Our aim was to assess the MV geometry in patients with ASD and MV prolapse.

METHODS

We evaluated 99 patients (73% female, median age 40 years) with ASD who underwent a three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiogram. Three-dimensional analysis of the MV was done using dedicated automated software. Transthoracic echocardiographic parameters were assessed post ASD closure in 28 patients.

RESULTS

MV prolapse was found in 39% of patients. Although smaller left ventricular dimensions and greater interatrial shunt were found in patients with MV prolapse compared with those without prolapse, there was no difference in the subvalvular parameters. MV prolapse was associated with larger mitral anterior-posterior diameter, anterolateral-posteromedial diameter, anterior perimeter, posterior perimeter, total perimeter, and anterior leaflet area (all p < 0.05). Mitral regurgitation was more frequent in patients with MV prolapse (80 vs. 48%, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with ASD, the main mechanism of MV prolapse is the presence of an organic primary process of the MV apparatus (excessive anterior mitral leaflet tissue and mitral annular enlargement).