Restrictive Mitral Annuloplasty Cures Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation and Heart Failure

Background Restrictive mitral annuloplasty with revascularization is considered the best approach to ischemic mitral regurgitation with heart failure, but late results are controversial. We report late outcome in relation to preoperative left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) cutoff values, previously identified to predict intermediate-term left ventricular reverse remodeling. Methods One hundred consecutive ischemic mitral regurgitation patients underwent restrictive mitral annuloplasty (stringent downsizing by two ring sizes; median size, 26) and coronary revascularization. Survivors were clinically and echocardiographically assessed at intermediate (18 months) and late (mean, 46 months) follow-up. Results Early mortality was 8%, and late mortality was 18%. Actuarial 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 87% ± 3.4%, 80% ± 4.1%, and 71% ± 5.1%. Mortality predictors (Cox regression) were preoperative inotropic support (hazard ratio, 6.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.3 to 16.9) and preoperative LVEDD greater than 65 mm (hazard ratio, 4.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 10.9). Five-year survival rate for patients with LVEDD of 65 mm or less was 80% ± 5.2%, versus 49% ± 11% for LVEDD greater than 65 mm (p = 0.002). At 4.3 years’ follow-up, New York Heart Association functional class had improved from 2.9 ± 0.8 to 1.6 ± 0.6 (p < 0.01). Mitral regurgitation grade was 0.8 ± 0.7, and was less than grade 2+ in 85% of patients. Left ventricular reverse remodeling was sustained with time for the LVEDD of 65 mm or less group. Late deaths did not show intermediate-term systolic left ventricular reverse remodeling, indicating a more extensive intrinsic left ventricular abnormality. Conclusions At 4.3 years’ follow-up, intermediate-term cutoff values for left ventricular reverse remodeling proved to be predictors for late mortality. For patients with preoperative LVEDD of 65 mm or less, restrictive mitral annuloplasty with revascularization provides a cure for ischemic mitral regurgitation and heart failure; however, when LVEDD exceeds 65 mm, outcome is poor and a ventricular approach should be considered.