Recovery of left ventricular function after surgical correction of mitral regurgitation caused by leaflet prolapse

Change in mean left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), mean left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), and mean left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD) between preoperative and last follow-up echocardiograms. A, After an initial decline from the preoperative (PreOP) period to the postoperative period, EF improved steadily and significantly with time from the predischarge (PreDC) echocardiogram to the last follow-up echocardiogram. B, LVEDD decreased significantly from PreOP to PreDC and continued to decline to last follow-up echocardiogram. C, No change in LVESD occurred in the early postoperative period, but significant LVESD regression occurred with time after discharge. The number of patients with grade of mitral regurgitation greater than 3+ (percent) is 983 (97) for PreOP; 46 (5) for PreDC; 4 (7) for ≤1 year; 9 (16) for 1 to 3 years; and 19 (18) for 3 to 5 years. Error bars indicate mean ± standard error.

The effects of postoperative left ventricular dysfunction were evaluated by examining long-term recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction (EF). Patients who underwent mitral valve surgery were categorized into 2 groups on the basis of their predischarge (PreDC) EF and were evaluated at follow-up (≤1 year, 1–3 years, and 3–5 years) for long-term recovery of ventricular function. Patient numbers at each time period are noted. Error bars indicate mean ± standard error. PreOP, Preoperative.

Predictors of recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) during follow-up detailed through Kaplan–Meier plots delineating the percentage of patients who reattained normal left ventricular EF (EF ≥ 60%) over time after mitral value surgery. A, Recovery of normal EF stratified by preoperative (PreOP) EF (EF ≥ 65% or < 65%). B, Recovery of normal EF stratified by PreOP left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD) (LVESD ≥ 36 mm or < 36 mm).