Left ventricular function after correction of mitral regurgitation: Impact of the clipping approach

Aims Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is associated with poor outcome in systolic heart failure (HF) patients. Percutaneous edge‐to‐edge mitral valve repair (PMVR) in Mitra‐Fr study failed to prove any beneficial effect over optimal medical treatment (OMT) but win in COAPT study. Nevertheless, little is known about the effect of PMVR on LV performance and mechanics in HF patients with severe secondary MR. Method and results Thirty‐seven patients with severe FMR undergoing PMVR were included and compared (according to indices of LV myocardial function and the relationship between LV‐size and the degree of regurgitation) to nineteen patients with FMR treated by OMT. Both groups were clinically comparable. At 6‐month follow‐up, cardiac index such as LV global constructive work (GCW) improved significantly in both groups (1.86 vs 2.13 L/min/m2, P = .02, 1.73 vs 2.28 L/min/m2 P = .002 and 977 vs 1101 mm Hg.%, P = .003, 967 vs 1110 mm Hg.%, P = .002 for PMVR and OMT groups, respectively) whereas left ventricular (LV) end‐systolic volume index, LV ejection fraction, and global longitudinal strain were not different. Receiver operating characteristics in PMVR with LVEF ≤ 35% subgroup analysis demonstrated that global work index (GWI) had the best ability to identify patients with worse evolution (AUC = 0.882; P = .009), confirmed by univariable logistic regression, particularly for patients with GWI < 482 mm Hg.%. Conclusion Echocardiographic characteristics at 6‐month follow‐up are not different when compare PMVR and OMT for HF patients with severe FMR. A low global work index might be a tool for discouraging the implantation of clips for this indication.