Left ventricular function after valve repair for chronic mitral regurgitation: Predictive value of preoperative assessment of contractile reserve by exercise echocardiography

Objectives. We evaluated the value of preoperative assessment of left ventricular contractile reserve in predicting ventricular function after valve repair for minimally symptomatic mitral regurgitation. Background. The optimal timing for operation in minimally symptomatic patients with significant mitral regurgitation is controversial. Accurate preoperative assessment of left ventricular function is difficult, and the ability to predict postoperative function is limited. Previous studies in patients undergoing mitral valve replacement may not be applicable in the present era of valve repair. Methods. We performed exercise echocardiography in 139 patients with isolated mitral regurgitation and no coronary disease, 74 of whom subsequently underwent uncomplicated valve repair. We measured rest left ventricular end-systolic dimension, end-systolic wall stress and positive first derivative of left ventricular pressure (dP/dt). End-diastolic and end-systolic volumes and ejection fraction were measured preoperatively at rest, immediately after exercise and postoperatively. Results. Ejection fraction decreased postoperatively to 55 ± 10% from a rest preoperative value of 64 ± 9% (p < 0.001). Compared with patients with a postoperative ejection fraction ≤50% (n = 56), patients with postoperative ejection fraction <50% (n = 18) had a significantly lower preoperative exercise ejection fraction (57 ± 11% vs. 73 ± 9, p < 0.0005), a larger exercise end-systolic volume index (32 ± 8 vs. 18 ± 7 cm³/m², p < 0.0005) and a lower change in ejection fraction with exercise (-4 ± 8% vs. 9 ± 10%, p < 0.005). Preoperative rest indexes, including dP/dt, end-systolic wall stress and end-systolic volume index were less predictive, whereas exercise capacity, rest ejection fraction and end-systolic dimension were not predictive of postrepair ejection fraction. An exercise end-systolic volume index >25 cm³/m² was the best predictor of postoperative dysfunction, with a sensitivity and specificity of 83%. Conclusions. In minimally symptomatic patients with mitral regurgitation, latent ventricular dysfunction may be indicated by a limited contractile reserve, manifest at exercise as an inadequate increase in ejection fraction and a larger end-systolic volume. These variables may also be used to predict left ventricular function after repair.