OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the value of transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) using standardized imaging planes for the functional analysis of mitral regurgitation(MR) as well as for postoperative outcome implications. BACKGROUND: The feasibility of mitral valve repair is based on functional assessment of MR, mainly by transesophageal echocardiography(TEE). Considering the recent advances in TTE imaging, the incremental value of TEE in this setting needs to be reexamined. METHODS: Consecutive patients(n=279; 181 men; median age 68 years[quartiles, 61 to 74]) who underwent surgery for MR were enrolled prospectively in two tertiary care centers. The accuracy of TTE(harmonic imaging) versus TEE for functional assessment of MR was evaluated against surgical findings. RESULTS: Valve repair(n=237 patients, 85%) or replacement(n=42)was predicted accurately by TTE in 97%of cases; TEE added significant information for only two patients. In the subgroup of degenerative MR(n=190), agreement with surgical findings for the localization of prolapsed segments was 91%for TTE(kappa,0.81) and 93%for TEE(kappa,0.85)without incremental value of TEE(p=0.40). Patients with single prolapse of the middle posterior scallop(P2) had a better postoperative outcome as compared with patients who had non-P2 lesions(p=0.008). Furthermore, mitral replacement predicted by TTE was an independent predictor for postoperative longterm mortality(odds ratio 5.7, 95%confidence interval 1.97 to 16.4, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In experienced hands, functional assessment of MR by TTE can predict accurately valve repairability and has a strong influence on postoperative outcome. Thus, in most cases preoperative TEE is not mandatory, provided intraoperative TEE is performed.
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