Transmitral Pressure Gradients in Patients With Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation After Robotic Mitral Valve Repair With Leaflet Preservation Techniques

Introduction

The hemodynamic effects of mitral valve repair (MVr) with respect to transmitral pressure gradients (TMPGs) have not been described well in patients undergoing leaflet preservation techniques. In a population of patients undergoing robotic MVr with leaflet preservation, we investigate the expected change of the postrepair intraoperative TMPG in the postoperative follow-up period.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 144 adult patients who underwent robotic MVr. Demographic, clinical, procedural, and echocardiographic data were collected and analyzed.

Results

We found a slight increase in the mean TMPG from the intraoperative postrepair to the immediate postoperative period (intraoperative 3.3 ± 1.4 mmHg vs. first postoperative transthoracic echocardiography [TTE] follow-up 3.6 ± 1.9 mmHg, p = 0.016) with a gradual decline in the long-term follow-up (mean TMPG at last follow-up TTE 2.4+2.1 mmHg). When dichotomizing the patient population using a cutoff of 3 mmHg for the intraoperative mean TMPG, patients with an intraoperative mean TMPG > 3 mmHg had higher mean TMPG gradients at first TTE (4.5 ± 2.4 vs. 3.1 ± 1.3 mmHg, p < 0.001) as well as at last TTE (3.0± 2.2 vs. 2.1 ± 2.0 mmHg, p = 0.01) when compared with patients with an intraoperative mean TMPG ≤ 3 mmHg. There was no difference in clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

Although the hemodynamic effect of MVr seems to be small, patients with an intraoperative TMPG > 3 mmHg have a higher mean TMPG at follow-up. The hemodynamic effect does not seem to have an impact on clinical outcome.