Peripheral blood levels of matrix metalloproteinases in patients referred for percutaneous balloon mitral valve commissurotomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Inflammation may play a central role in the progression of stenotic valvular heart disease. Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), markers of extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover and potential markers of active inflammation, have been recently demonstrated in several inflammatory processes. The present study was designed to examine whether systemic evidence of ECM turnover was present in advanced stenotic mitral valve disease. METHODS: Serum levels of MMP-1, -3 and -9 were measured in 114 patients with mitral stenosis referred for percutaneous balloon mitral valve commissurotomy, and compared to those in 48 healthy, age- and gender-matched controls. RESULTS: Serum levels of MMP-1, -3 and -9 did not vary according to hemodynamic profile or heart failure class at the time of blood sampling. Levels of MMP-1 and -3 were not significantly different between those patients with mitral stenosis and controls. The level of MMP-9 was significantly higher in patients with mitral stenosis than in controls, and did not appear to be altered by commissurotomy. CONCLUSION: Serum levels of MMP-9 were elevated in patients with mitral stenosis, providing further evidence that inflammation and ECM remodeling plays an important role in the pathophysiology of valvular heart disease.

Serial echocardiographic evaluation of restenosis after successful percutaneous mitral commissurotomy.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine predictors of restenosis after successful percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) and its relationship to late clinical outcome. BACKGROUND: The restenosis rate after PMC and its relationship to late clinical outcome is poorly defined. METHODS: Serial echocardiography was performed in 310 patients who underwent PMC. Restenosis, defined as mitral valve area (MVA) <1.5 cm(2) and > or = 50% loss of initial MVA increase, was determined by both two-dimensional (2D) and Doppler echocardiography. Clinical, echocardiographic and cardiac catheterization variables were evaluated to determine predictors of restenosis. The relationship between restenosis and major adverse clinical events (death, repeat PMC or mitral valve replacement) and functional status was assessed. RESULTS: Acute procedural success occurred in 206 patients (66%), who were then followed for restenosis. The cumulative restenosis rate was approximately 40% at six years after successful PMC (44% by 2D and 40% by Doppler MVA). The only independent predictor of restenosis was echocardiographic score (restenosis at five years was 20% for score <8 vs. 61% for score > or = 8, p < 0.001). The decline in MVA and occurrence of restenosis was gradual and progressive during the follow-up period. Procedural results and baseline factors predicted event-free survival. Restenosis by 2D MVA was related to adverse events or New York Heart Association functional class 3 to 4 symptoms, but restenosis was not an independent predictor of clinical outcome by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Restenosis is a common, gradual and progressive occurrence after successful PMC and is predicted by higher echocardiographic score. Restenosis is related to late adverse clinical outcome, though clinical outcome remains best predicted by the acute procedural results of PMC.

C-reactive protein elevation independently influences the procedural success of percutaneous balloon mitral valve commissurotomy.

BACKGROUND: Markers of systemic inflammation including C-reactive protein (CRP) appear to predict morbidity and mortality in various clinical conditions. The presence of systemic inflammation and its impact on the procedural success of percutaneous balloon mitral valve commissurotomy (PBMC) in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis has not been previously demonstrated. METHODS: Measurements of CRP with a high-sensitivity assay were performed at the time of PBMC or during post-procedural follow-up in 119 patients with mitral stenosis of rheumatic morphology. Patients were questioned to exclude confounders of CRP elevation and categorized into undetectable (< or =0.10 mg/L) and detectable (>0.10 mg/L) CRP levels. Detectable levels were further classified into assay range (>0.10 and < or =6.0 mg/L) and elevated (>6.0 mg/L). RESULTS: CRP was detectable in 76% of patients and elevated (>6.0 mg/L) in 36% of patients studied. Procedural success occurred in 89% of patients with undetectable CRP, as compared with only 67% in patients with detectable CRP (P =.028). This effect remained after controlling for age and valve score (previously described predictors of PBMC success). CONCLUSIONS: Systemic inflammation is common in patients with rheumatic mitral valve stenosis, and the relationship between procedural success and CRP suggests persistent inflammation may affect the results of PBMC.

Usefulness of percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy in preventing the development of atrial fibrillation in patients with mitral stenosis.

A prospective cohort of patients with mitral stenosis and no history of atrial arrhythmias showed no decrease in the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after successful versus unsuccessful Inoue balloon percutaneous balloon mitral valve commissurotomy. Advanced age and left atrial dimension best predicted which patients developed AF during follow-up, whereas percutaneous balloon mitral valve commissurotomy procedural success and left atrial pressure reduction did not have an impact on incidence of AF.