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Atrial longitudinal strain parameters predict left atrial reverse remodeling after mitral valve surgery: a speckle tracking echocardiography study

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Abstract

Volume overload in chronic severe mitral regurgitation (MR) causes left atrial (LA) remodeling. Volume overload generally diminishes after mitral valve surgery and LA size and shape are expected to recover. The recovery of LA functions named as reverse remodeling is said to be related with prognosis and mortality. A few clinical and echocardiographic parameters have been reported to be associated with LA reverse remodeling. In this study, we investigated the relationship between LA peak longitudinal strain (reservoir strain) assessed with 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) and LA reverse remodeling. 53 patients (24 females and 29 males, mean age: 45.7 ± 13.5 years) with severe MR and preserved left ventricular systolic function were included in the study. All patients had normal sinus rhythm. The etiology of MR was mitral valve prolapse (MVP) in 37 patients and rheumatic valvular disease in 16 patients. Mitral valve repair was performed in 30 patients while 23 underwent mitral valve replacement. Echocardiography was performed before the surgery and 6 months later. LA peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) was assessed with speckle tracking imaging. LA reverse remodeling was defined as a percent of decrease in LA volume index (LAVI). Left atrial volume index significantly decreased after surgery (58.2 ± 16.6 vs. 43.9 ± 17.2 ml/m2, p ≤ 0.001). Mean LAVI reduction was 22.5 ± 27.2 %. There was no significant difference in LAVI reduction between mitral repair and replacement groups (22.1 ± 22.6 vs. 23.1 ± 32.8 %, p = 0.9). Although the decrease in LAVI was higher in MVP group than rheumatic group, it was not statistically significant (24.4 ± 26.8 vs. 18.2 ± 28.9 %, p = 0.4). Correlates of LAVI reduction were preoperative LAVI (r 0.28, p = 0.039), PALS (r 0.36, p = 0.001) and age (r −0.36, p = 0.007). Furthermore, in multivariate linear regression analysis (entering models), preoperative LAVI, age and PALS were all significant predictors of LA reverse remodeling (p ≤ 0.001, p = 0.04, p = 0.001 respectively). Left atrial peak longitudinal strain measured by 2D STE, in conjunction with preoperative LAVI and age is a predictor of LA reverse remodeling in patients undergoing surgery for severe MR. We suggest that in this patient population, PALS may also be used as a preoperative prognostic marker.

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Abbreviations

EF:

Ejection fraction

LA:

Left atrium

LAVI:

Left atrial volume index

LV:

Left ventricle

PALS:

Peak atrial longitudinal strain

PACS:

Peak atrial contraction strain

MVP:

Mitral valve prolapse

MVR:

Mitral valve replacement

TVR:

Tricuspid valve repair

PISA:

Proximal isovelocity surface area

STE:

Speckle tracking echocardiography

ASE:

American Society of Echocardiography

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

BNP:

Brain natriuretic peptide

MR:

Mitral regurgitation

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology Clinic, Kartal Koşuyol Heart and Research Hospital, 34846, Kartal, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ozkan Candan, Nihal Ozdemir, Soe Moe Aung, Suzan Hatipoglu, Can Yucel Karabay, Ahmet Guler, Cetin Gecmen, Cem Dogan, Onur Omaygenc & Ruken Bengi Bakal

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  1. Ozkan Candan
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  2. Nihal Ozdemir
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Correspondence to Ozkan Candan.

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Candan, O., Ozdemir, N., Aung, S.M. et al. Atrial longitudinal strain parameters predict left atrial reverse remodeling after mitral valve surgery: a speckle tracking echocardiography study. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 30, 1049–1056 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-014-0433-9

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