Usefulness of the Global Echo-Doppler Score (GEDS) in selection of patients with mitral stenosis for percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty

Background: We aimed to create a novel modified score by combining anatomic and hemodynamic Doppler-echocardiographic measures for selection of suitable patients with mitral stenosis for percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) and its impact in prediction of outcome. Methods: 262 consecutive patients candidate for PBMV were enrolled. Wilkins score and a global score based on anatomical parameters (Wilkins score, posterior to anterior mitral leaflet ratio [PMVL/AMVL ratio]; left atrial diameter [LAD]) and hemodynamic parameters (mitral regurgitation [MR]; atrioventricular compliance [CN]; systolic pulmonary artery pressure [SPAP]) were assessed. Patients were classified into two groups according to their outcomes. Results: Global Echo-Doppler Score (GEDS) for patients with favorable vs. those with unfavorable outcomes was (5.0 +/- 0.9 vs. 8.9 +/- 1.3; p < 0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of a GEDS >= 7 for prediction of cardiac events were 97.5%, 88%, and 97.5%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.95 (p < 0.001). The correlation coefficient was 0.852 (p < 0.0001) for GEDS 0.531 (p < 0.002), for Wilkins score 0.315 (p < 0.02), for PMVL/AMVL 0.460 (p < 0.01), for LAD; MR: Pre-PBMV (r = 0.348, p < 0.03); CN [mL/mm Hg] (r = 0.579, p < 0.01) and SPAP [mm Hg] (r = 0.499, p < 0.01). In the regression analysis, GEDS, Wilkins score, and LAD were entered into the model. The regression coefficient (r = 0.695) of GEDS was much higher than those of the other 2 factors. Conclusions: GEDS is an independent predictor of PBMV success and clinical outcome and may be formulated in a scoring system that would help to identify the proper timing and best candidates for PBMV.