Is a good perioperative echocardiographic result predictive of durability in ischemic mitral valve repair?

Background: Chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation is associated with poor long-term survival. Despite the increasing popularity of valve repair, its durability and long-term outcome for ischemic mitral regurgitation have recently been questioned. Methods: Seventy-eight patients underwent repair for ischemic mitral regurgitation between 1996 and 2002 at our institution. Of these patients, 73 had complete clinical and echocardiographic follow-up. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative clinical data were obtained, and the results of echocardiograms were reviewed to assess the rate of recurrence of regurgitation after repair and to identify predictive factors. Results: The mean preoperative mitral regurgitation grade, New York Heart Association class, and left ventricular ejection fraction were 2.72, 2.65, and 39.4%, respectively. Mortality was 12.3% at 30 days and 30.1% at a mean follow-up of 39 +/- 25 months. Immediate postoperative echocardiography showed absent or mild mitral regurgitation in 89.4% of patients and showed moderate mitral regurgitation in 10.6%. Freedom from reoperation was 93.2%. Recurrent moderate mitral regurgitation (2+) was present in 36.7% of patients, and severe mitral regurgitation (3+ to 4+) was present in 20.0% at mean follow-up of 28.1 +/- 22.5 months. Only age (P=.0130) and less marked preoperative posterior tethering (P=.0362) were predictive of recurrent mitral regurgitation. Patients with a preoperative New York Heart Association class greater than II and recurrent mitral regurgitation greater than 2+ had decreased survival (P=.0152 and P=.0450, respectively). Conclusions: Significant recurrent mitral regurgitation occurs following repair for ischemic mitral regurgitation, despite good early results. This finding raises questions about the need for improved repair techniques, better patient selection, or eventual mitral valve replacement in selected patients.