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Abstract Objectives Repairing severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with degenerative bileaflet prolapse and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVrEF) is challenging. The Free Margin Running Suture (FMRS) technique offers a non-resectional approach, but mid-term data are limited. Methods We analysed 28 patients with bileaflet degenerative MR and LVrEF (≤40%) undergoing FMRS. Primary outcomes were mid-term survival and MR recurrence; secondary outcomes included LVEF, in-hospital complications, transmitral gradient, coaptation length, and mitral valve orifice area. Results Mean age was 59.3 ± 12.8 years; 69.4% were male. No perioperative deaths; 1 patient required ECMO. Mean aortic cross-clamp time was 47 ± 18.6 min. Over 4.7 years, survival was 100%, with 1 case of moderate MR recurrence. At follow-up, LVEF improved to 43.04 ± 2.26 (P < 0.001), and all patients were NYHA I-II. Conclusions FMRS is a minimally invasive, reproducible technique providing durable repair, symptomatic improvement, and excellent mid-term survival. Mitral valve (MV) repair is the surgical intervention of first choice in degenerative primary mitral regurgitation (MR). Graphical Abstract

Background The prognostic relevance of left atrial (LA) morphological and functional variables, including those derived from speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), has been little investigated in veterinary medicine. Objectives To assess the prognostic value of several echocardiographic variables, with a focus on LA morphological and functional variables in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Animals One‐hundred and fifteen dogs of different breeds with MMVD. Methods Prospective cohort study. Conventional morphologic and echo‐Doppler variables, LA areas and volumes, and STE‐based LA strain analysis were performed in all dogs. A survival analysis was performed to test for the best echocardiographic predictors of cardiac‐related death. Results Most of the tested variables, including all LA STE‐derived variables were univariate predictors of cardiac death in Cox proportional hazard analysis. Because of strong correlation between many variables, only left atrium to aorta ratio (LA/Ao > 1.7), mitral valve E wave velocity (MV E vel > 1.3 m/s), LA maximal volume (LAVmax > 3.53 mL/kg), peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS < 30%), and contraction strain index (CSI per 1% increase) were entered in the univariate analysis, and all were predictors of cardiac death. However, only the MV E vel (hazard ratio [HR], 4.45; confidence interval [CI], 1.76‐11.24; P < .001) and LAVmax (HR, 2.32; CI, 1.10‐4.89; P = .024) remained statistically significant in the multivariable analysis. Conclusions and Clinical Importance The assessment of LA dimension and function provides useful prognostic information in dogs with MMVD. Considering all the LA variables, LAVmax appears the strongest predictor of cardiac death, being superior to LA/Ao and STE‐derived variables.

Background Bileaflet mitral valve prolapse (MVP) can be associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. It is unknown whether surgical correction alone of this mitral valve pathology leads to a reduction in ventricular dysrhythmias. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 4477 patients who underwent mitral valve surgery from 1993–2013 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Among these, eight patients with bileaflet MVP who had an internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in place both pre- and post-surgery were identified. ICD interrogation records were evaluated for episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), and appropriate ICD shock therapy. Results Of these eight patients, five had a malignant ventricular arrhythmia prior to surgery. Data was available 4.6 ± 2.9 years before versus 6.6 ± 4.2 years following surgical intervention. Among these patients, there was a reduction in VF (0.6 versus 0.14 events per-person-year pre- and post-surgery, respectively), VT (0.4 versus 0.05 events per-person-year pre- and post-surgery, respectively), and ICD shocks (0.95 versus 0.19 events per-person-year pre- and post-surgery) following mitral valve surgery. Conclusions We report a series of cases where the surgical correction of bileaflet MVP alone was associated with a reduction in malignant arrhythmia and appropriate shocks. These early observations merit further investigation involving larger cohorts to further evaluate the association between abnormal mechanical forces in degenerative mitral valve disease and ventricular dysrhythmias.

Background Several risk factors already have been determined for dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD). Risk factors often have been considered in isolation and have not always taken into account additional information provided by the history and physical examination (PE). Hypothesis/Objectives Data obtained from history and PE of dogs with DMVD provide prognostic information and can be used for risk stratification. Animals Client‐owned dogs (n = 244) with DMVD recruited from first opinion practice. Methods Prospective longitudinal follow‐up of dogs with DMVD. History and PE data were obtained at 6‐month intervals and analyzed with time‐dependent Cox models to derive relative risk of cardiac death. Independent hazard ratios were used to derive a clinical severity score (CSS), the prognostic value of which was evaluated by analyzing the median survival times for different risk groups and ROC analysis. Analysis of the progression of CSS over time also was undertaken. Results History of cough, exercise intolerance, decreased appetite, breathlessness (difficulty breathing) and syncope with PE findings of heart murmur intensity louder than III/VI and absence of respiratory sinus arrhythmia were independently associated with outcome and allowed development of the CSS. Clinical severity score distinguished groups of dogs with significantly different outcomes. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Routinely obtained clinical findings allow risk stratification of dogs with DMVD. Results of ancillary diagnostic tests may be complementary to history and PE findings and always should be interpreted in conjunction with these findings.

Over the past 30 years, we have witnessed a steady improvement in life expectancy of patients with Marfan syndrome, owing to advances in various treatments. In Part 2 of a 2-part Review on Marfan syndrome, Dr. Cañadas and colleagues discuss the present the state of the art in the management of patients with this disease. Aortic disease is the main cause of death among patients with Marfan syndrome. Before the development of open surgery, most patients died in the fourth decade of life. Improvements in surgical techniques have facilitated prophylactic surgery and have dramatically changed the life expectancy of patients with Marfan syndrome. Valve-sparing techniques are becoming the standard surgical treatment for these patients, since the operative and long-term results are comparable with those obtained with the Bentall and De Bono procedure and their theoretical advantages over the Bentall and De Bono procedure are attractive for young patients. Distal aortic complications still cause substantial morbidity in patients who have undergone surgery. On the other hand, several medical approaches have appeared as alternatives or adjuncts to the standard treatment with β-blockers. Mouse models of the disease have shown that the angiotensin II receptor blocker losartan can rescue the phenotype. Among female patients, pregnancy deserves special consideration. Aortic dissection occurs mainly in the third trimester of gestation and in patients with dilated aortas. As aortic dissection carries a high risk of maternal mortality and fetal demise, prophylactic aortic surgery is recommended before attempting pregnancy for those women with an aortic diameter exceeding 40 mm. Key Points Prognosis in Marfan syndrome is mainly determined by aortic complications Prophylactic aortic surgery has dramatically changed the prognosis of Marfan syndrome in the past few decades Aortic root replacement is indicated if aortic diameter exceeds 50 mm; however, a lower threshold is often considered Despite the lack of solid evidence, β-blockers are the standard medical treatment for patients with Marfan syndrome Angiotensin II receptor blockers have emerged as a potentially better alternative to β-blockers for patients with Marfan syndrome Pregnancy represents a challenge for female patients with Marfan syndrome, with the most feared complication being the risk of aortic dissection

Mitral valve prolapse may involve 1 leaflet or 2 leaflets, yet management guidelines do not differentiate posterior leaflet (PML) from bileaflet (BML) prolapse. We hypothesized that patients with BML have a prolonged natural history with more severe atrial and ventricular enlargement but less severe mitral regurgitation (MR) compared to patients with PML. Patients with mitral valve prolapse undergoing mitral repair were identified and preoperative characteristics were recorded. Patients with predominant PML prolapse (n = 304) versus BML prolapse (n = 131) were identified based on preoperative echocardiographic and intraoperative findings. Timing of operation was based on standard guidelines. Despite being equally symptomatic, patients with BML differed significantly from those with PML in being younger (54 vs 60 years, p <0.0001), more likely to be women (51% vs 24%, p <0.0001), and having a larger valve (37 vs 32 mm, p <0.0001). Despite similar cardiac function and dimensions, patients with BML had less severe MR (24% vs 13% with <4+ MR, p = 0.01) and less severe pulmonary hypertension (14% vs 31%, p <0.0001) at time of operation. In conclusion, patients with BML often meet indications for mitral valve repair with similar cardiac enlargement but less MR than patients with PML prolapse. Patients with BML prolapse may benefit from timing mitral repair based more on symptomatic 3+ MR or cardiac enlargement and less on presence of severe MR.

Mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation (MR) is currently recommended based on the degree of MR and left ventricular (LV) function. The present study examines predictors of reverse remodeling after repair for degenerative disease. We retrospectively identified 439 patients who underwent repair for myxomatous mitral valve degeneration and had both pre- and postoperative echocardiographic data available. Patients were categorized based on left atrial (LA) diameter and LV diameter standards of the American Society of Echocardiography. The outcome of interest was the degree of reverse remodeling on all heart dimensions at follow-up. Mean age was 57 ± 12 years, and 37% of patients were women. Mean preoperative LV end-diastolic diameter was 5.8 ± 0.7 cm, LV end-systolic diameter 3.5 ± 0.6 cm, LA 4.7 ± 0.7 cm, and median ejection fraction 60%. Median observation time was 81 months, and time to postoperative echocardiography was 38 months. Overall, 95% of patients had normal LV diastolic dimensions postoperatively, 93% normal LV systolic dimensions, and 37% normal LA dimensions. A Cox regression analysis showed that moderate (odds ratio [OR] 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3 to 3.4) or severe preoperative LA dilatation (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.7 to 4.4), abnormal preoperative LV end-systolic dimensions (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.5), and age in years (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03) were predictive of less reverse remodeling on follow-up. In conclusion, preoperative LV end-systolic dimensions and LA dilatation substantially affect the likelihood of successful LA remodeling and normalization of all heart dimensions after mitral valve repair for MR. These findings support early operation for MR before the increase in heart dimensions is nonreversible.

We review our 10-year experience of mitral valve (MV) repair in comparison with MV replacement in the elderly for floppy mitral valves/mitral valve prolapse (FMV/MVP). The use of MV repair for this entity has not been fully utilized by surgeons. Two hundred ninety-two consecutive patients aged ≥70 years receiving mitral surgery for regurgitation due to FMV/MVP were reviewed from our prospective database between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 2002. Patients receiving concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were included. Two hundred eighteen patients underwent repairs and 74 replacements. Postoperative and long-term follow-up data were obtained. Mean follow-up time for survivors was 6.2 ± 2.5 years for MV repair and 6.8 ± 2.7 years for MV replacement. Patients with isolated MV repair showed lower inhospital mortality compared with MV replacement (0.7% vs 13.9%, P = .002) with reduced length of stay (8.7 ± 7.6 vs 9.6 ± 5.2 days, P = .049). There was improvement in 5-year mortality favoring repair versus replacement (81% ± 3% vs 63% ± 3%, P = .001). With concomitant CABG, there was minimal difference in survival up to 5 years. Freedom from valve replacement was 93.9% ± 1.3% for MV repair and 98.2% ± 0.4% for MV repair with CABG at 10 years. Mitral valve repair was an independent protector of long-term mortality within multivariate correlates (hazard ratio 0.43, 95% CI 0.19-0.97, P = .041). In elderly patients, MV repair reduced inhospital mortality and length of stay and increased long-term survival. With concomitant CABG, survival was similar to replacement. The preferred option for elderly patients with FMV/MVP is MV repair, especially in those without coronary artery disease.

Purpose Residual mitral regurgitation (MR) is a risk factor of reoperation. Here we report the midterm results of mitral valve repair for degenerative disease with mitral valve prolapse and identify important factors for durable repair. Methods From April 1999 to September 2007, 116 patients with leaflet prolapse (59 men; mean age 63 years) underwent mitral valve repair; they consisted of 19 anterior, 67 posterior, 23 bileaflet, and 7 isolated commissures. The mean clinical and echocardiographic follow-ups were at 4.1 ± 2.3 and 3.3 ± 2.4 years, respectively. Results Altogether, 12 patients showed recurrent moderate or severe MR during the follow-up period; and 10 of the 12 patients (83.8%) had recurrent moderate or severe MR within 1.5 years. Causes of early MR recurrence were dehiscence of sutured segments and ineffectiveness of the artificial chords. The rates of freedom from reoperation at 3 and 7 years were 95.3% ± 2.0% and 91.0% ± 4.7%, respectively. The rates of freedom from recurrent moderate or severe MR at 3 and 7 years were 90.5% ± 2.9% and 83.8% ± 5.9%, respectively. Conclusions The prevention of dehiscence of the sutured segment and reestablishment of coaptation using artifi- cial chords are imperative to maintain the durability of mitral valve repair for patients with degenerative disease.

Objectives. Surgical treatment of a prolapsed anterior leaflet of the mitral valve is relatively difficult and controversial compared with management of a prolapsed posterior leaflet. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term results of mitral valve repair, focusing on triangular resection of the anterior leaflet. Methods. Between October 1991 and December 2006, surgical treatment for a prolapsed anterior leaflet was performed in 57 patients with degenerative mitral valve disease, including 49 patients who had anterior leaflet resection. Patients with mitral stenosis, ischemic mitral regurgitation, and congenital valvular disease were excluded. The mean age of the patients was 51.7 ± 15.9 years, and the mean follow-up period was 6.2 ± 3.8 years. Results. The overall actuarial survival rate and noreoperation rate at 10 years were 91.7% ± 4.1% and 92.3% ± 3.7%, respectively. Reoperation was performed in 2 (4%) of 49 patients who had anterior leaflet resection. All patients survived after reoperation, which involved mitral valve replacement. Postoperative echocardiographic studies showed that the mitral valve area was significantly smaller after repair in patients with anterior leaflet resection, but the area was still large enough for a functional valve. Among the 57 patients, 42 had no mitral regurgitation, whereas it was mild in 7 patients and moderate in 3 patients. Conclusion. Triangular resection of a prolapsed anterior leaflet of the mitral valve provides durable and reliable long-term results.