Undersized mitral annuloplasty alters left ventricular shape during acute ischemic mitral regurgitation.
BACKGROUND
Underlying left ventricular (LV) dysfunction contributes to poor survival after operation to correct ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). Many surgeons do not appreciate that a key component of the Bolling undersized mitral ring annuloplasty concept is to decrease LV wall stress by altering LV shape, but precise 3-dimensional (3-D) geometric data do not exist substantiating this effect. We tested the hypothesis that annular reduction decreases regional circumferential LV radius of curvature (ROC) in a model of acute IMR.


METHODS
Eight adult sheep underwent insertion of an adjustable Paneth-type annuloplasty suture and radiopaque markers on the LV and mitral annulus. The animals were studied with biplane videofluoroscopy during baseline conditions, then before and after tightening the annuloplasty suture during proximal left circumflex occlusion. End-systolic circumferential regional LV ROC and mitral annular area were computed.


RESULTS
Acute IMR was eliminated (MR grade 2.1+/-0.4 to 0.4+/-0.4, mean+/-SD, P<0.05) by tightening the Paneth annuloplasty suture. Paneth suture tightening during circumflex occlusion also decreased end-systolic regional circumferential radii of curvature at the basal (anterior, 3.40+/-0.16 to 3.34+/-0.14 cm; posterior, 3.31+/-0.23 to 3.24+/-0.26 cm; P<0.05) and equatorial levels (anterior, 2.99+/-0.21 to 2.89+/-0.29 cm; posterior, 2.86+/-0.38 to 2.81+/-0.41 cm; P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Acute proximal circumflex occlusion caused IMR and increased end-systolic LV radii of curvature in this experimental preparation. Annular reduction sufficient to abolish IMR also decreased end-systolic anterior and posterior LV ROC, which would be expected to reduce LV wall stress and oxygen consumption in these regions, both potentially beneficial effects. The long-term effects of undersized annuloplasty on LV remodeling and function, however, will require further study in chronic animal preparations or patients with chronic IMR.
Tibayan
Frederick A
FA
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif 94305-5247, USA.
Rodriguez
Filiberto
F
Langer
Frank
F
Liang
David
D
Daughters
George T
GT
Ingels
Neil B
NB
Miller
D Craig
DC
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D011859:Radiography; D012756:Sheep; D013536:Suture Techniques; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling