Dujardin, Karl

BackgroundQuantitative Doppler echocardiography and proximal flow convergence methods are validated techniques for quantifying mitral regurgitation. However, the clinical interpretation of the values calculated is hindered by the absence of calibration of ranges of severity in large numbers of patients.Methods and ResultsIn 180 consecutive patients (men, 62%; mean age±SD, 66±11 years), the results of Doppler quantification of isolated mitral regurgitation were calibrated by use of left ventricular angiographic grading performed within 3 months in routine practice and without intervening events. The thresholds of the quantitative variables corresponding to the angiographic grades were identified by maximizing the sum of sensitivity and specificity and minimizing their difference. The mitral regurgitation grade by angiography was 2.7±1.3. The mean value and correlation with angiographic grades for effective regurgitant orifice were 43±37 mm andr=.79 (P<.0001); for regurgitant volume, 62±45 mL andr=.80 (P<.0001); and for regurgitant fraction, 45±17% andr=.78 (P<.0001). Despite some overlap, differences between mitral regurgitation grades were all significant (allP<.05). The thresholds for severe mitral regurgitation (grade 4) were 60 mL, 50%, and 40 mm2for regurgitant volume, regurgitant fraction, and orifice, respectively.ConclusionsIn routine practice in large numbers of patients in a clinical laboratory, Doppler echocardiographic quantification of mitral regurgitation shows highly significant correlation with qualitative angiographic grades. Despite an expected overlap between classes, the calibration by angiography of grading ranges for the quantitative variables provides a framework for their interpretation and allows the definition in clinical practice of thresholds for severe mitral regurgitation.

Background —The outcome of aortic regurgitation conservatively followed in clinical practice is poorly defined. Methods and Results —Long-term outcome of 246 patients with severe or moderately severe aortic regurgitation diagnosed by color Doppler echocardiography was analyzed. With conservative management, mortality rate was higher than expected (at 10 years, 34±5%, P <0.001) and morbidity was high (10-year rates of 47±6% for heart failure and 62±4% for aortic valve surgery). At 10 years, 75±3% of patients had died or had surgery and 83±3% had had cardiovascular events. In multivariate analysis, predictors of survival were age ( P <0.001), functional class ( P <0.001), comorbidity index ( P =0.033), atrial fibrillation ( P =0.002), and left ventricular end-systolic diameter corrected for body surface area ( P =0.025). Ejection fraction was also an independent predictor of overall survival, including postoperative follow-up of surgically treated patients ( P <0.001). High risk during conservative treatment, with mortality rate in excess of that expected, was noted among patients with severe, even transient, symptoms (24.6% yearly, P <0.001) but also in those with mild (class II) symptoms (6.3% yearly, P =0.02) and in asymptomatic patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <55% (5.8% yearly, P =0.03) or with end-systolic diameter normalized to body surface area ≥25 mm/m 2 (7.8% yearly, P =0.004). Surgery performed during follow-up was independently associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.54; P =0.048). Conclusions —Patients diagnosed with severe aortic regurgitation in clinical practice incur excess mortality and high morbidity, underscoring the serious prognosis of the disease. Surgery, which reduces cardiac mortality rates, should be considered promptly in high-risk patients.