Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with mitral stenosis undergoing percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction on outcome in patients with mitral stenosis undergoing percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy (PMBV).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated consecutive patients with mitral stenosis who underwent PMBV from November 1, 2002, through October 30, 2011, at our institution.

RESULTS: Of 107 total patients, 35 (32.7%) had diastolic dysfunction, defined as a preprocedural elevation in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) (>15 mm Hg). The LVEDP was normal in the remaining 72 patients (≤ 15 mm Hg). Clinical factors associated with diastolic dysfunction were body mass index (32 ± 7 vs 28 ± 5; P=.004) and diabetes mellitus (29% vs 6%; P=.002), but no differences were found in severity of pulmonary hypertension or degree of improvement in mitral valve hemodynamics after PMBV between the 2 groups. Survival free of recurrent severe symptoms, repeated PMBV, or mitral valve replacement was worse in patients with elevated LVEDP vs normal LVEDP (1-year estimate, 42% vs 81%; hazard ratio, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.62-4.96).

CONCLUSION: In patients referred for treatment of symptomatic mitral stenosis, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction may contribute to elevated left atrial pressure, and its presence is associated with a greater risk of failure of PMBV to improve symptoms. These data have implications for counseling and patient selection for PMBV.