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

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). 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). 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. 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.