Acute Changes in Mitral Valve Geometry after Percutaneous Valve Repair with MitraClip XTR by Three-Dimensional Echocardiography

BACKGROUND. Mitral valve (MV) repair with MitraClip system is a safe treatment option for high-risk patients with significant mitral regurgitation (MR). We aimed to characterize, by three-dimensional echocardiography (3D-E), changes occurring in MV after implantation of third generation MitraClip XTR device, with specific reference to the underlying MR mechanism (functional vs. degenerative, FMR vs DMR). METHODS. We prospectively enrolled 59 patients, who underwent intra-procedural 3D-E before and after device deployment. Three-D datasets were analysed off-line, using a dedicated semiautomatic software, to obtain parametric quantification of mitral anatomy. RESULTS. Post-procedural MR of mild or lesser degree was achieved in 40 patients (68%), with no differences between FMR and DMR (p 0.9). After MitraClip XTR implantation, the FMR group experienced an immediate annular resizing, with reduction of antero-posterior diameter (p 0.024) and sphericity index (p 0.017), next to a recovery of physiological saddle-shape, defined by lower non-planar angle (p ≤0.001) and higher annulus height to commissural width ratio (p ≤0.001). On the opposite, the DMR group revealed a significant decrease of maximum annular velocity (p 0.027), addressing a mechanic effect of the device deployment. Finally, baseline anterior mitral leaflet angle was found as the strongest independent predictor of acute procedural result (OR 0.91, [CI 0.84-0.99], p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS. MitraClip XTR implantation acts in restoring the original mitral geometry, with distinctive effects according to MR mechanism. Three-D parametric quantification of MV sheds new light on changes occurring in the valvular apparatus, and helps identifying possible new predictors of acute procedural success.

Predictors of outcomes in patients with mitral regurgitation undergoing percutaneous valve repair

Background Percutaneous mitral valve repairs has been increasingly performed worldwide. The MITRA-UMG registry provides a snapshot of a real-world clinical data and outcomes. Purpose We sought to investigate predictors of clinical outcomes in patients with mitral regurgitation undergoing percutaneous valve repair. Methods The MITRA-UMG registry retrospectively collected data from consecutive patients with symptomatic moderate-to-severe or severe MR underwent MitraClip implantation. The primary endpoint of interest was the composite of cardiovascular death or rehospitalization for HF. Results Between March 2012 and July 2018, a total of 133 consecutive patients admitted to our institution were included. Acute procedural success was obtained in 95.4% of patients, with no intraprocedural death. The composite primary endpoint of cardiovascular death or rehospitalization for heart failure was met in 50 patients (38%) with cumulative incidences of 7%, 25%, at 30 days and 1 year, respectively. In the Cox multivariate model, NYHA functional class IV, left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVi), Euroscore II, independently increased the risk of the primary endpoint at long-term follow-up. At Kaplan-Meier analysis, a LVEDVi >92 ml/m2 was associated with an increased incidence of the primary endpoint. Conclusions In searching the ideal phenotype of patients who benefit most of percutaneous mitral valve repair, those presenting with severely dilated ventricles (LVEDVi >92 ml/m2), high operative risk (EUROSCORE II >7%) or advanced heart failure symptoms (NYHA IV) at baseline carried the worst prognosis at long-term. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Predictors of outcomes in patients with mitral regurgitation undergoing percutaneous valve repair

Percutaneous mitral valve repair has been increasingly performed worldwide after approval. We sought to investigate predictors of clinical outcome in patients with mitral regurgitation undergoing percutaneous valve repair. The MITRA-UMG study, a single-centre registry, retrospectively collected consecutive patients with symptomatic moderate-to-severe or severe MR undergoing MitraClip therapy. The primary endpoint was the composite of cardiovascular death or rehospitalization for heart failure. Between March 2012 and July 2018, a total of 150 consecutive patients admitted to our institution were included. Procedural success was obtained in 95.3% of patients. The composite primary endpoint of cardiovascular death or rehospitalization for HF was met in 55 patients (37.9%) with cumulative incidences of 7.6%, 26.2%, at 30 days and 1-year, respectively. In the Cox multivariate model, NYHA functional class and left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVi), independently increased the risk of the primary endpoint at long-term follow-up. At Kaplan–Meier analysis, a LVEDVi > 92 ml/m2 was associated with an increased incidence of the primary endpoint. In this study, patients presenting with dilated ventricles (LVEDVi > 92 ml/m2) and advanced heart failure symptoms (NYHA IV) at baseline carried the worst prognosis after percutaneous mitral valve repair.

Functional Role of Natriuretic Peptides in Risk Assessment and Prognosis of Patients with Mitral Regurgitation

The management of mitral valve regurgitation (MR), a common valve disease, represents a challenge in clinical practice, since the indication for either surgical or percutaneous valve replacement or repair are guided by symptoms and by echocardiographic parameters which are not always feasible. In this complex scenario, the use of natriuretic peptide (NP) levels would serve as an additive diagnostic and prognostic tool. These biomarkers contribute to monitoring the progression of the valve disease, even before the development of hemodynamic consequences in a preclinical stage of myocardial damage. They may contribute to more accurate risk stratification by identifying patients who are more likely to experience death from cardiovascular causes, heart failure, and cardiac hospitalizations, thus requiring surgical management rather than a conservative approach. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the available evidence on the role of NPs in the management, risk evaluation, and prognostic assessment of patients with MR both before and after surgical or percutaneous valve repair. Despite largely positive evidence, a series of controversial findings exist on this relevant topic. Recent clinical trials failed to assess the role of NPs following the interventional procedure. Future larger studies are required to enable the introduction of NP levels into the guidelines for the management of MR.