The Influence of Aortic Valve Replacement on Functional Moderate - To-Severe Mitral Regurgitation in Patients with Aortic Valve Stenosis

GOAL The aim of this study was to show whether the concomitant functional mitral regurgitation in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement improves after this surgical procedure and to identify preoperative echocardiographic parameters that may influence the lack of improvement in mitral regurgitation (MR) after aortic valve replacement (AVR). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 45 patients with severe aortic stenosis and concomitant moderate to severe (+2/+3)mitral regurgitation. RESULTS The results of our study indicated an improvement in the degree of mitral regurgitation in 24 patients. The most prominent parameters responsible for the lack of improvement of mitral regurgitation in our study were LVIDd, ERO, RVol, pulmonary artery systolic pressure and left atrial diameter. Identification of echocardiographic predictors may assist in selection of patients for whom more aggressive surgical treatment is advised. CONCLUSION Concomitant moderate to severe functional MR indicates that MV should be repaired or replaced at the time of aortic valve surgery where at least two of indicated predicted preoperative echocardiographic parameters are present.