JACC
HOME SUBSCRIPTIONS CURRENT ISSUE PAST ISSUES CARDIOSOURCE SEARCH HELP FEEDBACK
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J Am Coll Cardiol, 2002; 39:1651-1656
© 2002 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Figures Only
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Otsuji, Y.
Right arrow Articles by Tei, C.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Otsuji, Y.
Right arrow Articles by Tei, C.

CLINICAL STUDY: ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Isolated annular dilation does not usually cause important functional mitral regurgitation

Comparison between patients with lone atrial fibrillation and those with idiopathic or ischemic cardiomyopathy

Yutaka Otsuji, MD, FACC*,*, Toshiro Kumanohoso, MD*, Shiro Yoshifuku, MD*, Keiko Matsukida, MD*, Chihaya Koriyama, MD{dagger}, Akira Kisanuki, MD*, Shinichi Minagoe, MD*, Robert A. Levine, MD, FACC{ddagger} and Chuwa Tei, MD, FACC*

* First Department of Internal Medicine, , Kagoshima, Japan
{dagger} Department of Public Health, Kagoshima University School of Medicine, Kagoshima, Japan
{ddagger} Cardiac Ultrasound Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Manuscript received September 25, 2000; revised manuscript received February 20, 2002, accepted February 25, 2002.

* Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr. Yukata Otsuji, First Department of Internal Medicine, Kagoshima University School of Medicine, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima City, 890-8520, Japan.
yutaka{at}m.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp


   Abstract
Top
 Abstract
Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
OBJECTIVES: We sought to test whether isolated mitral annular (MA) dilation can cause important functional mitral regurgitation (MR).

BACKGROUND: Mitral annular dilation has been considered a primary cause of functional MR. Patients with functional MR, however, usually have both MA dilation and left ventricular (LV) dilation and dysfunction. Lone atrial fibrillation (AF) can potentially cause isolated MA dilation, offering a unique opportunity to relate MA dilation to leaflet function.

METHODS: Mid-systolic MA area, MR fraction, LV volumes and papillary muscle (PM) leaflet tethering length were compared by echocardiography among 18 control subjects, 25 patients with lone AF and 24 patients with idiopathic or ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM).

RESULTS: Patients with lone AF had a normal LV size and function, but MA dilation (isolated MA dilation) significant and comparable to that of patients with ICM (MA area: 8.0 ± 1.2 vs. 11.6 ± 2.3 vs. 12.5 ± 2.9 cm2 [control vs. lone AF vs. ICM]; p < 0.001 for both lone AF and ICM). However, patients with lone AF had only modest MR, compared with that of patients with ICM (MR fraction: –3 ± 8% vs. 3 ± 9% vs. 36 ± 25%; p < 0.001 for patients with ICM). Multivariate analysis identified PM tethering length, not MA dilation, as an independent primary contributor to MR.

CONCLUSIONS: Isolated annular dilation does not usually cause moderate or severe MR. Important functional MR also depends on LV dilation and dysfunction, leading to an altered force balance on the leaflets, which impairs coaptation.

Abbreviations and Acronyms
  AF
  atrial fibrillation
  EF
  ejection fraction
  ICM
  idiopathic or ischemic cardiomyopathy
  IMLC
  incomplete mitral leaflet closure
  LV
  left ventricle or ventricular
  MA
  mitral annulus or annular
  MR
  mitral regurgitation
  PM
  papillary muscle

Functional mitral regurgitation (MR) is an important complication that adversely affects the patient’s prognosis (1–6). Mitral annular (MA) dilation has been postulated as the main cause of functional MR (7,8); however, it is still controversial, because patients with functional MR usually also have left ventricular (LV) dilation and dysfunction, which have also been assumed as major causes of functional MR (8–21). Left ventricular dilation has been shown to cause functional MR by inducing apical displacement of the leaflets (i.e., incomplete mitral leaflet closure [IMLC], due to an augmented tethering force by outward displacement of the papillary muscles (PMs) (8–18). Left ventricular dysfunction has also been shown to cause IMLC and MR by decreasing the ventricular force needed to close the leaflets (8,19–21).

Current surgical techniques mainly focus on MA size reduction (22,23). The results are not always ideal, with occasional cases of persistent, significant MR, despite a normal MA size after ring implantation (21,22). Therefore, to understand the mechanism of functional MR, as well as to establish its practical or surgical treatment, it is necessary to isolate the effects of MA dilation from other factors, especially LV dilation and dysfunction.

Lone atrial fibrillation (AF), known to cause left atrial dilation without LV dilation and dysfunction (24), can potentially cause isolated MA dilation. Therefore, patients with lone AF may offer a unique opportunity to evaluate the effects of isolated MA dilation on leaflet function. Thus, the purpose of this study was to test whether isolated MA dilation can cause important functional MR, by comparing the mitral complex geometry and MR between patients with lone AF and potentially isolated MA dilation and those with idiopathic or ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) with combined MA dilation and LV dilation and dysfunction (7).


   Methods
Top
 Abstract
 Methods
Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Study patients.   There were 25 consecutive patients with lone AF and 24 patients with ICM referred for echocardiographic examination from April to December 1999 (Table 1). Eighteen subjects with normal echocardiograms and no known cardiovascular disease served as the control subjects. Lone AF was diagnosed on the basis of electrocardiographic evidence of AF without LV or right ventricular dilation and dysfunction, pericardial disease or organic valve lesions on two-dimensional echo. Idiopathic or ischemic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed on the basis of LV dysfunction with an ejection fraction (EF) <40%, without predominant segmental wall motion abnormalities or organic valve lesions on two-dimensional echo. Of the 24 patients with ICM, coronary angiography confirmed that there were no significant stenosis in 14 and severe lesions in 7 (angiography was not performed in 3). This study was performed with patients’ written, informed consent, and the institutional committee of Kagoshima University approved the study protocol.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		Table 1 Patients’ Characteristics and Echocardiographic Measurements

 
Echocardiography.   Standard two-dimensional and Doppler echo with color flow mapping were performed using a 2- to 3-MHz transducer and phased-array sector scanners (ATL HDI 3000 [Bothell, Washington], Toshiba SSH 380A [Tokyo, Japan], and Hewlett-Packard Sonos 5500 [Andover, Massachusetts]). Recordings of the apical four- and two-chamber views were done with special attention to visualize the PM tips. The LV volumes and EF were obtained by the modified biplane Simpson’s method (25). Left ventricular sphericity was estimated by the LV short- to long-axis dimension ratio in the end-systolic apical four-chamber view (Fig. 1) (26). The mid-systolic MA area was obtained from its dimensions in the apical four- and two-chamber views, using an ellipsoid assumption: MA area = d1 x d2 x {pi}/4 (Fig. 1) (27). The MA was identified as the leaflet hinge points. The end-diastolic, end-systolic and mid-systolic frames were determined as the initial, last and middle frame, with systolic mitral leaflet closure, respectively. To evaluate the apical displacement of the mitral leaflets, the IMLC area between the leaflets and the line connecting the annular points was traced at mid-systole (Fig. 1) (10,15). The leaflet tethering lengths between the PM tips and the contralateral anterior MA were also measured in the apical four- and two-chamber views (Fig.: 1 and 2) to estimate displacement of the PM (15–18). When the PM had multiple heads, the leaflet tethering length was measured to each head and averaged. The severity of MR was quantified by Doppler echocardiography. The MR stroke volume was obtained as the mitral filling stroke volume minus the aortic ejection stroke volume (28–30). The mitral filling and aortic ejection stroke volumes were determined as the time velocity integral of mitral filling or aortic ejection flow velocity at the annular level, multiplied by the annular area (28,30). Regurgitant fraction was calculated as follows: MR fraction (%) = (MR stroke volume/mitral filling stroke volume) x 100. Grading of MR was done as follows: trace/none = MR fraction <30%; mild = 30% to <40% MR fraction; moderate = 40% to <50% MR fraction; severe = ≥50% MR fraction (28). The proximal MR jet cross-sectional area was measured by color Doppler imaging from the apical four- and two-chamber view diameters (elliptical area = {pi} x diameter1 x diameter2/4) (31).



View larger version (28K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		Figure 1 Methods to quantitate the geometry of the mitral valve apparatus and left ventricle (LV) shape. D = short-axis dimension of LV; L = long-axis dimension of LV; LA = left atrium; RA = right atrium; RV = right ventricle.

 
Reproducibility of measurements.   Two independent observers repeated 10 measurements of the MA area and PM tethering length. The differences in the measurements by the two observers were obtained to estimate interobserver variability. The same observer repeated the 10 measurements, and intraobserver variability was calculated.

Statistical analysis.   Results are expressed as the mean value ± SD. Variables were compared between the three groups by analysis of variance; if significant, the differences between the groups were explored using the unpaired Student t test. Incidences in the groups were tested for statistical significance using the chi-square test. Determinants of IMLC area and MR fraction were explored by univariate and stepwise multiple linear regression analyses, using end-diastolic and end-systolic LV volumes, EF, sphericity, MA area, PM tethering length and systolic blood pressure as variables. We calculated adjusted p values by the Holm-Sidak procedure to avoid the effects of multiple comparison tests (32). A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.


   Results
Top
 Abstract
 Methods
 Results
Discussion
 References
 
Comparison of basic measurements between patients with lone AF and ICM (Table 1).   Patients with lone AF had normal LV volumes and EF, whereas patients with ICM had significantly abnormal LV volumes and EF. In contrast, patients with lone AF had MA dilation significant and comparable to that of patients with ICM. Thus, patients with lone AF had isolated MA dilation with no LV dilation or dysfunction. Leaflet tethering lengths of both PMs were also not increased in patients with lone AF as compared with patients with ICM.

Mitral regurgitation and IMLC.   Patients with lone AF had a normal IMLC area, whereas the area was significantly increased in patients with ICM (Table 1). The MR fraction was also not significantly increased in patients with lone AF, despite their isolated but significant MA dilation. In contrast, the MR fraction was markedly increased in patients with ICM who had a comparable MA size. Consequently, moderate to severe MR was observed in none of the patients with lone AF, although the incidence of such MR was significantly higher in those with ICM (38%, p < 0.05). Figure 2 shows representative patients. Despite comparable MA dilation, these patients had prominent differences in IMLC and MR. The patient with lone AF had a normal PM tethering length with no significant IMLC and MR; in contrast, the patient with ICM had a longer tethering length and significant IMLC and MR.



View larger version (58K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		Figure 2 Lack of important incomplete mitral leaflet closure (IMLC) and mitral regurgitation (MR) in a patient with lone atrial fibrillation (AF), despite annular dilation (yellow arrows), compared with a patient with idiopathic or ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) showing moderate IMLC and MR. Longer papillary muscle tethering length (white arrows) in the patient with ICM restricts leaflet closure and induces IMLC and MR.

 
Determinants of IMLC area and MR fraction.   All of the end-diastolic and end-systolic LV volumes, EF, LV sphericity, MA areas and PM tethering lengths were significant determinants of the IMLC area by univariate analysis. The correlation between the MA area and IMLC area was relatively weak (r2 = 0.28), and the MA area was not an independent determinant of the IMLC area by multivariate analysis. Figure 3 (left upper panel) shows that patients with lone AF did not develop significant IMLC with MA dilation, whereas those with ICM frequently developed significant IMLC with comparable MA sizes. In contrast, the correlation between the IMLC area and PM tethering length (r2 = 0.82) was better, and multiple regression analysis identified increased PM tethering length, primarily, and increased LV end-systolic volume for the IMLC area as independent contributors (r2 = 0.85). Figure 3 (right upper panel) shows that patients with lone AF had normal tethering lengths, with no significant increase in the IMLC area, whereas patients with ICM had greater tethering lengths, with a significant increase in the IMLC area.



View larger version (36K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		Figure 3 Scatterplots showing correlations between the incomplete mitral leaflet closure (IMLC) area (upper panels) or percent mitral regurgitation (MR) fraction (lower panels) and the mitral annular area or sum of the papillary muscle (PM) tethering distance.

 
Similarly, all of the end-diastolic and end-systolic LV volumes, EF, LV sphericity, MA areas and the PM tethering lengths were significant determinants of MR fraction by univariate analysis. The correlation between MA area and MR fraction was also relatively weak (r2 = 0.33), and the MA area was not an independent determinant of MR fraction by multivariate analysis. Figure 3 (left lower panel) shows that patients with lone AF did not develop moderate or severe MR with MA dilation, whereas patients with ICM frequently developed such MR with comparable MA sizes. In contrast, the correlation between MR fraction and PM tethering length (r2 = 0.65) was better, and multivariate analysis identified increased PM tethering length as the only independent determinant of MR fraction. Figure 3 (right lower panel) shows that patients with lone AF had normal tethering lengths, with no moderate to severe MR; in contrast, patients with ICM had greater tethering lengths, with frequent, important MR.

Reproducibility of measurements.   The interobserver and intraobserver variabilities for the measurements of MA area were 0.6 ± 0.4 and 0.3 ± 0.2 cm2 or 5.5 ± 3.4% and 2.5 ± 1.5% of the mean value, respectively. The interobserver and intraobserver variabilities for the measurements of PM tethering length were 1.5 ± 1.3 and 0.6 ± 0.2 mm or 4.0 ± 3.4% and 2.4 ± 0.8% of the mean value, respectively.


   Discussion
Top
 Abstract
 Methods
 Results
 Discussion
References
 
Effects of isolated MA dilation on mitral valve function.   This study demonstrated that isolated MA dilation in patients with lone AF does not usually cause moderate to severe MR, even though they have MA dilation comparable to those with ICM and frequent, significant MR. Patients with ICM also have 1) LV dilation to augment the tethering force and restrict leaflet closure; and 2) LV dysfunction, reducing the ventricular force to close the leaflets. These results strongly suggest that significant MR depends on additional LV dilation and dysfunction, which alter the force balance on the leaflets and create IMLC, thereby requiring more of the leaflet area to cover the annulus and exhausting the physiologic surface area of leaflet coaptation (8–21). However, these results do not indicate that MA dilation is not important in functional MR. This study also showed a significant correlation between MR fraction and MA area (Fig. 3). In addition, MA size reduction is not always, but usually, effective in eliminating functional MR (22,23). Significant worsening of MR by addition of MA dilation to PM displacement was also observed in vitro (8). Therefore, although MA dilation may not be the strongest determinant of functional MR, it is an important factor (7,8).

Previous studies.   Numerous investigations support the leaflet tethering hypothesis, with an important role of LV dilation in the mechanism of functional MR (8–18). Left ventricular contractile dysfunction has also been proposed as a significant determinant of functional MR (8,19–21). In addition, a considerable overlap in MA size between patients with and those without functional MR has been reported (33), suggesting that factors other than MA dilation must also be important in the mechanism of MR. Therefore, the results of this study are consistent with these previous, important contributions. However, this study further emphasizes the importance of LV factors by demonstrating that only modest MR can be induced by isolated MA dilation, without LV dilation and dysfunction.

Clinical implications.   The current study indicates that LV dilation and dysfunction, in addition to MA dilation, play a central role in the development of important functional MR. Therefore, the results can help explain persistent MR after ring implantation (21,22). Such persistent MR suggests that maintained leaflet tethering and poor LV contraction, even with a normal MA size, can potentially cause significant MR. Therefore, the results suggest the need for interventions other than normalizing MA size, to repair functional ischemic MR consistently. Such maneuvers may include a further reduction in MA size beyond its normal range (23), infarct reduction to lessen leaflet tethering (17,22), leaflet or chordal elongation to permit better coaptation (34) and revascularization to reduce LV size. The results also suggest the potential benefit of early revascularization or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors to reduce or prevent ischemic MR with acute myocardial infarction (35,36).

Study limitations.   This investigation was designed to analyze data obtained by routine clinical echo studies. Estimation of geometric change in the mitral apparatus was done by two-dimensional echo. Therefore, we could not evaluate the three-dimensional geometry of the mitral apparatus by placing a consistent reference point in the heart, as in previous three-dimensional studies (15–17). However, outward PM displacement was estimated with two-dimensional echo by measuring the length between the PM tip and the contralateral anterior MA, which was closely correlated to the IMLC area and MR fraction. Yiu et al. (18) also showed a good correlation between the two-dimensional echo tethering distance and the severity of ischemic MR. These data support the adequacy of two-dimensional echo to provide a measure of tethering length (16,18).

The mechanism of functional MR may be heterogeneous. Patients and animal models with functional or ischemic MR, occasionally demonstrate mitral valve prolapse instead of IMLC (4,9,37). In this case, the MR cannot be explained by augmented leaflet tethering, but may relate to PM elongation (9,38). In addition to MA size, its three-dimensional shape and motion have also been shown to be important causes of MR (18,39); however, these analyses were not done. Other undefined variables, such as leaflet clefts or fetal commissural cusps, might also worsen MR when other primary abnormalities are present. We compared patients with isolated MA dilation to patients with combined MA dilation and LV dilation and dysfunction, so we could not separate effects of LV dilation from those of LV dysfunction, which will require further investigation (15,16).

Conclusions.   Although annular dilation can augment functional MR, isolated annular dilation in patients with lone AF does not usually cause moderate or severe MR. Important functional MR also requires LV dilation and dysfunction, leading to an altered force balance on the leaflets and IMLC, with the potential for a reduced surface area of leaflet coaptation.


   Footnotes
 
This study was supported by a grant of Fukuda Foundation of Medical Technology and by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (no. 13670730) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Minagoe was also supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (no. 12670682) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan.


   References
Top
 Abstract
 Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 

  1. Burch GE, De Pasquale NP, Phillips JH. Clinical manifestations of papillary muscle dysfunction. Arch Intern Med. 1963;112:112–117[Medline]
  2. Rankin JS, Hickey MSJ, Smith LR, et al. Ischemic mitral regurgitation. Circulation. 1989;79(Suppl I):I116–121
  3. Lamas GA, Mitchell GF, Flaker GC, et al. Clinical significance of mitral regurgitation after acute myocardial infarction. Circulation. 1997;96:827–833[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  4. Izumi S, Miyatake K, Beppu S, et al. Mechanism of mitral regurgitation in patients with myocardial infarction: a study using real-time two-dimensional Doppler flow imaging and echocardiography. Circulation. 1987;76:777–785[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  5. Kisanuki A, Otsuji Y, Kuroiwa R, et al. Two-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of papillary muscle contractility in patients with prior myocardial infarction. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1993;21:932–938[Abstract]
  6. Grigioni F, Enriquez-Sarano M, Zehr KJ, Bailey KR, Tajik AJ. Ischemic mitral regurgitation: long-term outcome and prognostic implications with quantitative Doppler assessment. Circulation. 2001;103:1759–1764[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  7. Boltwood CM, Tei C, Wong M, Shah PM. Quantitative echocardiography of the mitral complex in dilated cardiomyopathy: the mechanism of functional mitral regurgitation. Circulation. 1983;68:498–508[Free Full Text]
  8. He S, Fontaine AA, Ellis JT, Schwammenthal E, Yoganathan AP, Levine RA. An integrated mechanism for functional mitral regurgitation: leaflet restriction vs. coapting force–in vitro studies. Circulation. 1997;96:1826–1834[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  9. Ogawa S, Hubbard FE, Mardelli TJ, Dreifus LS. Cross-sectional echocardiographic spectrum of papillary muscle dysfunction. Am Heart J. 1979;97:312–321[CrossRef][Medline]
  10. Godley RW, Wann LS, Rogers EW, Feigenbaum H, Weyman AE. Incomplete mitral leaflet closure in patients with papillary muscle dysfunction. Circulation. 1981;63:565–571[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  11. Matsuzaki M, Yonezawa F, Toma Y, et al. Experimental mitral regurgitation in ischemia-induced papillary muscle dysfunction. J Cardiol. 1988;18(Suppl 18):121–126[Medline]
  12. Kono T, Sabbah HN, Rosman H, et al. Left ventricular shape is the primary determinant of functional mitral regurgitation in heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1992;20:1594–1598[Abstract]
  13. Gorman RC, McCaughan JS, Ratcliffe MB, et al. Pathogenesis of acute ischemic mitral regurgitation in three dimensions. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1995;109:684–693[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  14. Komeda M, Glasson JR, Bolger AF, et al. Geometric determinants of ischemic mitral regurgitation. Circulation. 1997;96(Suppl II):II128–133
  15. Otsuji Y, Handschumacher MD, Schwammenthal E, et al. Insights from three-dimensional echocardiography into the mechanism of functional mitral regurgitation: direct in vivo demonstration of altered leaflet tethering geometry. Circulation. 1997;96:1999–2008[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  16. Otsuji Y, Handshumacher MD, Liel-Cohen N, et al. Mechanism of ischemic mitral regurgitation with segmental left ventricular dysfunction: three-dimensional echocardiographic studies in models of acute and chronic progressive regurgitation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001;37:641–648[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  17. Liel-Cohen N, Guerrero JL, Otsuji Y, et al. Design of a new surgical approach for ventricular remodeling to relieve ischemic mitral regurgitation: insights from 3-dimensional echocardiography. Circulation. 2000;101:2756–2763[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  18. Yiu SF, Enriquez-Sarano M, Tribouilloy C, Seward JB, Tajik AJ. Determinants of the degree of functional mitral regurgitation in patients with systolic left ventricular dysfunction: a quantitative clinical study. Circulation. 2000;102:1400–1406[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  19. Kaul S, Spotnitz WD, Glasheen WP, Touchstone DA. Mechanism of ischemic mitral regurgitation: an experimental evaluation. Circulation. 1991;84:2167–2180[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  20. Schwammenthal E, Chen C, Benning F, Block M, Breithardt G, Levine RA. Dynamics of mitral regurgitant flow and orifice area: Physiologic application of the proximal flow convergence method: clinical data and experimental testing. Circulation. 1994;90:307–322[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  21. Hung J, Otsuji Y, Handschumacher MD, Schwammenthal E, Levine RA. Mechanism of dynamic regurgitant orifice area variation in functional mitral regurgitation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1999;33:538–545[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  22. Rankin JS, Feneley MP, Hickey MS, et al. A clinical comparison of mitral valve repair versus valve replacement in ischemic mitral regurgitation. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1988;95:165–175[Abstract]
  23. Bach DS, Bolling SF. Improvement following correction of secondary mitral regurgitation in end-stage cardiomyopathy with mitral annuloplasty. Am J Cardiol. 1996;78:966–969[CrossRef][Medline]
  24. Sanfilippo AJ, Abascal VM, Sheehan M, et al. Atrial enlargement as a consequence of atrial fibrillation: a prospective echocardiographic study. Circulation. 1990;82:792–797[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  25. Schiller NB, Shah PM, Crawford M, et al. Recommendations for quantification of the left ventricle by two-dimensional echocardiography. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 1989;2:358–367[Medline]
  26. D’Cruz IA, Shroff SG, Janicki JS, Jain A, Reddy HK, Lakier JB. Differences in the shape of the normal, cardiomyopathic, and volume overloaded human left ventricle. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 1989;2:408–414[Medline]
  27. Vijayaraghavan G, Boltwood CM, Tei C, Wong M, Shah PM. Simplified echocardiographic measurement of the mitral annulus. Am Heart J. 1986;112:985–991[CrossRef][Medline]
  28. Dujardin KS, Enriquez-Sarano M, Bailey KR, Nishimura RA, Seward JB, Tajik AJ. Grading of mitral regurgitation by quantitative Doppler echocardiography: calibration by left ventricular angiography in routine clinical practice. Circulation. 1997;96:3409–3415[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  29. Thomas L, Foster E, Hoffman JIE, Schiller NB. The mitral regurgitation index: an echocardiographic guide to severity. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1999;33:2016–2022[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  30. Hall SA, Brickner ME, Willett DL, Irani WN, Afridi I, Grayburn PA. Assessment of mitral regurgitation by Doppler color flow mapping of the vena contracta. Circulation. 1997;95:636–642[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  31. Mele D, Vandervoort P, Palacios I, et al. Proximal jet size by Doppler color flow mapping predicts severity of mitral regurgitation: clinical studies. Circulation. 1995;91:746–754[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  32. Holm S. A simple sequentially rejective multiple test procedure. Scand J Stat. 1979;6:65–70
  33. Chandraratna PAN, Aronow WS. Mitral valve ring in normal vs. dilated left ventricle: cross-sectional echocardiographic study. Chest. 1981;79:151–154[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  34. Messas E, Guerrero JL, Handschumacher MD, et al. Chordal cutting: a new therapeutic approach for ischemic mitral regurgitation. Circulation. 2001;104:1958–1963[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  35. Heuser RR, Maddoux GL, Goss JE, Ramo BW, Raff GL, Shadoff N. Coronary angioplasty for acute mitral regurgitation due to myocardial infarction. Ann Intern Med. 1987;107:852–855[Medline]
  36. Shimoyama H, Sabbah HN, Rosman H, Kono T, Alam M, Goldstein S. Effects of long-term therapy with enalapril on severity of functional mitral regurgitation in dogs with moderate heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1995;25:768–772[Abstract]
  37. Tei C, Sakamaki T, Shah PM, et al. Mitral valve prolapse in short-term experimental coronary occlusion: a possible mechanism of ischemic mitral regurgitation. Circulation. 1983;68:183–189[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  38. Messas E, Guerrero JL, Handschumacher MD, et al. Paradoxic decrease in ischemic mitral regurgitation with papillary muscle dysfunction: insights from three-dimensional and contrast echocardiography with strain rate measurement. Circulation. 2001;104:1952–1957[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  39. Glasson JR, Komeda M, Daughters GT II, et al. Three-dimensional dynamics of the canine mitral annulus during ischemic mitral regurgitation. Ann Thorac Surg. 1996;62:1059–1068[Abstract/Free Full Text]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Eur J EchocardiogrHome page
E. Donal, C. De Place, G. Kervio, F. Bauer, R. Gervais, C. Leclercq, P. Mabo, and J.-C. Daubert
Mitral regurgitation in dilated cardiomyopathy: value of both regional left ventricular contractility and dyssynchrony
Eur J Echocardiogr, June 26, 2008; (2008) jen188v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Ann. Thorac. Surg.Home page
M. Akiyama, Z. B. Popovic, K. Kamohara, F. Cingoz, M. Daimon, C. Ootaki, Y. Ootaki, M. Martin, J. Liu, M. W. Kopcak Jr, et al.
Acute reduction of functional mitral regurgitation in canine model using an epicardial device.
Ann. Thorac. Surg., May 1, 2008; 85(5): 1771 - 1775.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Eur Heart JHome page
C. Ypenburg, P. Lancellotti, L. F. Tops, E. Boersma, G. B. Bleeker, E. R. Holman, J. D. Thomas, M. J. Schalij, L. A. Pierard, and J. J. Bax
Mechanism of improvement in mitral regurgitation after cardiac resynchronization therapy
Eur. Heart J., March 2, 2008; 29(6): 757 - 765.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Eur J EchocardiogrHome page
E. Agricola, M. Oppizzi, M. Pisani, A. Meris, F. Maisano, and A. Margonato
Ischemic mitral regurgitation: mechanisms and echocardiographic classification
Eur J Echocardiogr, March 1, 2008; 9(2): 207 - 221.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg.Home page
M. A. Borger, P. M. Murphy, A. Alam, S. Fazel, M. Maganti, S. Armstrong, V. Rao, and T. E. David
Initial results of the chordal-cutting operation for ischemic mitral regurgitation
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., June 1, 2007; 133(6): 1483 - 1492.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Eur J EchocardiogrHome page
J. Kwan, M. A. Gillinov, J. D. Thomas, and T. Shiota
Geometric predictor of significant mitral regurgitation in patients with severe ischemic cardiomyopathy, undergoing Dor procedure: A real-time 3D echocardiographic study
Eur J Echocardiogr, June 1, 2007; 8(3): 195 - 203.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 HeartHome page
E Agricola, M Oppizzi, M Galderisi, M Pisani, A Meris, C Pappone, and A Margonato
Role of regional mechanical dyssynchrony as a determinant of functional mitral regurgitation in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction
Heart, October 1, 2006; 92(10): 1390 - 1395.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg.Home page
S. G. Lloyd, G. D. Buckberg, and the RESTORE Group
Use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in surgical ventricular restoration
Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., April 1, 2006; 29(Suppl_1): S216 - S224.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Ann. Thorac. Surg.Home page
M. A. Borger, A. Alam, P. M. Murphy, T. Doenst, and T. E. David
Chronic Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation: Repair, Replace or Rethink?
Ann. Thorac. Surg., March 1, 2006; 81(3): 1153 - 1161.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Am Coll CardiolHome page
J. J. Bax, T. Abraham, S. S. Barold, O. A. Breithardt, J. W.H. Fung, S. Garrigue, J. Gorcsan III, D. L. Hayes, D. A. Kass, J. Knuuti, et al.
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Part 2--Issues During and After Device Implantation and Unresolved Questions
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., December 20, 2005; 46(12): 2168 - 2182.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 CirculationHome page
S. Kaji, M. Nasu, A. Yamamuro, K. Tanabe, K. Nagai, T. Tani, K. Tamita, K. Shiratori, M. Kinoshita, M. Senda, et al.
Annular Geometry in Patients With Chronic Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation: Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Circulation, August 30, 2005; 112(9_suppl): I-409 - I-414.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 CirculationHome page
R. A. Levine and E. Schwammenthal
Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation on the Threshold of a Solution: From Paradoxes to Unifying Concepts
Circulation, August 2, 2005; 112(5): 745 - 758.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 CirculationHome page
M. Daimon, T. Shiota, A. M. Gillinov, M. Hayase, M. Ruel, W. E. Cohn, S. J. Blacker, and J. R. Liddicoat
Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair for Chronic Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation: A Real-Time Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Study in an Ovine Model
Circulation, May 3, 2005; 111(17): 2183 - 2189.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Am Coll CardiolHome page
N. Watanabe, Y. Ogasawara, Y. Yamaura, T. Kawamoto, E. Toyota, T. Akasaka, and K. Yoshida
Quantitation of mitral valve tenting in ischemic mitral regurgitation by transthoracic real-time three-dimensional echocardiography
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., March 1, 2005; 45(5): 763 - 769.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 HeartHome page
V Rizzello, D Poldermans, E Biagini, A F L Schinkel, R van Domburg, A Elhendy, E C Vourvouri, M Bountioukos, A Lombardo, B Krenning, et al.
Improvement of stress LVEF rather than rest LVEF after coronary revascularisation in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and viable myocardium
Heart, March 1, 2005; 91(3): 319 - 323.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 CirculationHome page
V. Rizzello, D. Poldermans, E. Boersma, E. Biagini, A. F.L. Schinkel, B. Krenning, A. Elhendy, E. C. Vourvouri, F. B. Sozzi, A. Maat, et al.
Opposite Patterns of Left Ventricular Remodeling After Coronary Revascularization in Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: Role of Myocardial Viability
Circulation, October 19, 2004; 110(16): 2383 - 2388.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Eur J EchocardiogrHome page
E. Agricola, M. Oppizzi, F. Maisano, M. De Bonis, A. F.L. Schinkel, L. Torracca, A. Margonato, G. Melisurgo, and O. Alfieri
Echocardiographic classification of chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation caused by restricted motion according to tethering pattern
Eur J Echocardiogr, October 1, 2004; 5(5): 326 - 334.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Eur Heart J SupplHome page
R. R Brandt, J. Sperzel, H. F Pitschner, and C. W Hamm
Echocardiographic assessment of mitral regurgitation in patients with heart failure
Eur. Heart J. Suppl., August 1, 2004; 6(suppl_D): D25 - D28.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Am Coll CardiolHome page
P. Lancellotti, F. Lebrun, and L. A. Pierard
Determinants of exercise-induced changes in mitral regurgitation in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., December 3, 2003; 42(11): 1921 - 1928.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Ann. Thorac. Surg.Home page
F. A. Tibayan, F. Rodriguez, F. Langer, M. K. Zasio, L. Bailey, D. Liang, G. T. Daughters, N. B. Ingels Jr, and D. C. Miller
Annular remodeling in chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation: ring selection implications
Ann. Thorac. Surg., November 1, 2003; 76(5): 1549 - 1555.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Am Coll CardiolHome page
O. A. Breithardt, A. M. Sinha, E. Schwammenthal, N. Bidaoui, K. U. Markus, A. Franke, and C. Stellbrink
Acute effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy on functional mitral regurgitation in advanced systolic heart failure
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., March 5, 2003; 41(5): 765 - 770.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Figures Only
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Otsuji, Y.
Right arrow Articles by Tei, C.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Otsuji, Y.
Right arrow Articles by Tei, C.

HOME SUBSCRIPTIONS CURRENT ISSUE PAST ISSUES CARDIOSOURCE SEARCH HELP FEEDBACK