Mitral valve reserve in double-orifice technique: An exercise echocardiographic study

Background and aim of the study: The edge-to-edge technique is used to restore valvular competence in mitral insufficiency. The efficacy of the method is under debate due to the potential for creating functional mitral stenosis. An exercise echocardiographic study was carried out to investigate valve function and hemodynamics in patients who had undergone double-orifice mitral valve repair. Methods: Thirty patients (mean age 49.1 ± 12.7 years) with previous double-orifice mitral valve repair underwent exercise echocardiography (10 W/min). An annular prosthesis was present in 28 patients (93%). The mean and maximum mitral valve gradient, planimetric valve area, stroke volume, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, heart rate and systolic blood pressure were measured at baseline and at peak stress. Results: At peak stress, heart rate (77.7 ± 12.2 versus 118.6 ± 26.0 beats/min, p 2, p