Impact of preoperative mitral valve regurgitation on outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this single-centre prospective study was to assess the impact of preoperative mitral valve regurgitation (MR) on outcomes of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS: From June 2007 to January 2011, 176 consecutive patients underwent TAVI at our institution. Patients were divided into two groups according to the degree of MR: <2+, the NoMR group (133 patients); ≥2+, the MR group (43 patients). Clinical and echocardiographic examination were performed before the procedure, at discharge, 1, 3, 6, 12 months after TAVI and yearly thereafter. The mean follow-up was 10.4 ± 7.7 months (range 1-36). RESULTS: MR patients had higher EuroSCORE (27 ± 16 vs. 20 ± 11%, P < 0.001), lower ejection fraction (49 ± 13 vs. 57 ± 12%, P = 0.001), higher systolic pulmonary pressure (50 ± 17 vs. 39 ± 10 mmHg, P < 0.001) and larger left ventricular volumes (end-diastolic volume index: 78 ± 29 vs. 66 ± 20 ml/m(2), P = 0.002) than NoMR. Hospital mortality was 9.3% (four patients) and 3% (four patients) in MR and NoMR groups, respectively (P = 0.10). The Kaplan-Meier survival at 20 months was 78 ± 8 and 75 ± 6% in MR and NoMR groups, respectively (P: n.s.). At follow-up, the degree of MR in the MR group decreased to trivial-mild in 28% of patients. Patients of both groups experienced a significant reduction in the New York Hear Association class, being in class I-II in 91% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing TAVI with preoperative MR ≥ 2+ have a higher surgical risk profile and a trend towards higher hospital mortality. MR was not identified as a risk factor for mortality. At follow-up, a reduction in MR and an improvement of echocardiographic parameters were observed in the MR group.