Role of three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in predicting mitral regurgitation after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) can be complicated with significant mitral regurgitation (MR). We performed a pilot, prospective study to evaluate the role of three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) in the prediction of MR after PBMV through mitral valve quantification (MVQ).

METHODS: Between October 2014 and October 2016, 37 patients with rheumatic, moderate-to-severe mitral stenosis, referred to the Cath lab of Bab Alshearia University hospitals for PBMV, were divided into two age and sex matched groups. Group I included 25 patients without significant MR following PBMV [vena contract area (VCA) <0.4cm2 ], while group II included 12 patients with significant MR after PBMV [VCA ≥0.4cm2 ]. Both groups were comparable in terms of TEE data, Wilkins score for favorability of PBMV and baseline hemodynamics.

RESULTS: Data from MVQ showed that both groups were comparable (p>0.05) in terms of MV annulus quantification (Anteroposterior diameter, annular sphericity, 3D area and height), MV scallops (A1, A2, A3, P1, P2 and P3) areas, as well as A1 and A2 tenting volumes. However, we recorded significant differences between the two groups as regard total MV, A2, P2 and P3 tenting volumes (p<0.05) and tenting height (p=0.03), as well as A2, A3 and P2 prolapse volumes (p<0.05). Moreover, our data showed a significant difference between both groups in terms of MV coaptation heights (p=0.01), but not in anterior coaptation length (p=0.13).

CONCLUSION: Mitral valve quantification through 3D-TEE is a simple automated method, easily applicable to patients before PBMV. Moreover, MVQ-derived data, such as MV scallops' tenting and prolapse volumes, coaptation heights, and exposed and total A2 lengths may predict the possibility of significant MR after PBMV.