Adverse impact of diabetes mellitus on left ventricular remodelling in patients with chronic primary mitral regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has an impact on left ventricular (LV) geometry and function, and is associated with worsening of pressure-overload LV remodelling; however, its impact on volume-overload LV remodelling is unknown.

AIM: The objective of the study was to examine the association between DM and LV remodelling in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) caused by mitral valve prolapse.

METHODS: During a median follow-up of 3.26 [interquartile range 1.59-6.06] years, we evaluated the evolution of echocardiographic variables in 375 consecutive patients, including 61 (16%) patients with DM. The main endpoint was LV remodelling evaluated by LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and LV mass index increase. LV end-systolic diameter (LVESD) and ejection fraction (LVEF) were also evaluated.

RESULTS: Patients with DM increased their LVEDD more than patients without DM (1.98±4.1 vs 0.15±4.54mm/year of follow-up; P=0.002). LVEF remained stable in the two groups. After adjustment for potential confounders, including age, sex, hypertension, body mass index, MR severity, medications and follow-up duration, DM remained independently associated with LVEDD increase (β=2.30; P<0.001). When comparing patients with DM with patients without DM matched for age, sex and LVEDD at baseline, DM was independently associated with increased LVEDD (β=2.14; P=0.002), LV mass index (β=10.7; P=0.004) and LVESD (β=2.07; P=0.01).

CONCLUSION: DM is associated with worsening of LV remodelling in patients with moderate or severe chronic MR caused by mitral valve prolapse.