Insights from the STICH trial: change in left ventricular size after coronary artery bypass grafting with and without surgical ventricular reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: The present analysis of the Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure randomized trial data examined the left ventricular volumes at baseline and 4 months after surgery to determine whether any magnitude of postoperative reduction in end-systolic volume affected survival after coronary artery bypass grafting alone compared with bypass grafting plus surgical ventricular reconstruction. METHODS: Of the 1000 patients randomized, 555 underwent an operation and had a paired imaging assessment with the same modality at baseline and 4 months postoperatively. Of the remaining 455 patients, 424 either died before the 4-month study or did not have paired imaging tests and were excluded, and 21 were not considered because they had died before surgery or did not receive surgery. RESULTS: Surgical ventricular reconstruction resulted in improved survival compared with coronary artery bypass grafting alone when the postoperative end-systolic volume index was 70 mL/m(2) or less. However, the opposite was true for patients achieving a postoperative volume index greater than 70 mL/m(2). A reduction in the end-systolic volume index of 30% or more compared with baseline was an infrequent event in both treatment groups and did not produce a statistically significant survival benefit with ventricular reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting plus surgical ventricular reconstruction, a survival benefit was realized compared with bypass alone, with the achievement of a postoperative end-systolic volume index of 70 mL/m(2) or less. Extensive ventricular remodeling at baseline might limit the ability of ventricular reconstruction to achieve a sufficient reduction in volume and clinical benefit.

MicroRNA dysregulation in diabetic ischemic heart failure patients.

Increased morbidity and mortality associated with ischemic heart failure (HF) in type 2 diabetic patients requires a deeper understanding of the underpinning pathogenetic mechanisms. Given the implication of microRNAs (miRNAs) in HF, we investigated their regulation and potential role. miRNA expression profiles were measured in left ventricle biopsies from 10 diabetic HF (D-HF) and 19 nondiabetic HF (ND-HF) patients affected by non-end stage dilated ischemic cardiomyopathy. The HF groups were compared with each other and with 16 matched nondiabetic, non-HF control subjects. A total of 17 miRNAs were modulated in D-HF and/or ND-HF patients when compared with control subjects. miR-216a, strongly increased in both D-HF and ND-HF patients, negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction. Six miRNAs were differently expressed when comparing D-HF and ND-HF patients: miR-34b, miR-34c, miR-199b, miR-210, miR-650, and miR-223. Bioinformatic analysis of their modulated targets showed the enrichment of cardiac dysfunctions and HF categories. Moreover, the hypoxia-inducible factor pathway was activated in the noninfarcted, vital myocardium of D-HF compared with ND-HF patients, indicating a dysregulation of the hypoxia response mechanisms. Accordingly, miR-199a, miR-199b, and miR-210 were modulated by hypoxia and high glucose in cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells cultured in vitro. In conclusion, these findings show a dysregulation of miRNAs in HF, shedding light on the specific disease mechanisms differentiating diabetic patients.

Baseline left ventricular volume and shape as determinants of reverse remodeling induced by surgical ventricular reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Early postoperative data show that surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) induces reverse remodelling (RR) in dilated ischemic cardiomyopathy. The stability of these results at follow-up is debated. This retrospective study determined whether RR was stable at follow-up and the role, if any, of preoperative left ventricle volume and shape on SVR-induced changes. METHODS: The study group comprised 220 patients (age, 64 ± 9 years) with an echocardiography study at baseline, discharge, and at follow-up. RR was defined as a reduction of left ventricular end-systolic volume index (ESVI) at follow-up exceeding 15% vs baseline. RESULTS: Reverse remodelling occurred in 162 patients (74%); the ESVI at follow-up in the remaining 58 (26%) was equal to or greater than at baseline (no-RR). At baseline, the no-RR patients had lower volumes and higher ejection fraction; at the 1-week post-SVR evaluation, all patients reached significant ESV reduction, but at follow-up, the no-RR patients had dilated and showed significantly higher volumes and lower ejection fraction vs patients with RR. New York Heart Association class improved in both groups (2.6 ± 0.6 to 1.6 ± 0.5 and 2.5 ± 0.8 to 1.8 ± 0.7, respectively, p = 0.0001). Baseline ESVI less than 73 mL/m(2), apical axis less than 4.35 cm, and conicity index less than 0.759 were predictors of no-RR. CONCLUSIONS: A relatively small ESVI and a more physiologic apical shape (conical) are predictors of no-RR after SVR. Despite lack of RR, the ESV at follow-up is not severely enlarged, which explains the good survival rate in these patients.

Optimizing dose and administration regimen of a high-relaxivity contrast agent for myocardial MRI late gadolinium enhancement.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the time-course of late gadolinium enhancement of infarcted myocardium using gadobenate dimeglumine at different dosages and administration regimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After institutional review board approval and informed consent, we studied 13 patients (aged 63±11 years) with chronic myocardial infarction. They underwent two gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MR examinations (interval 24-48 h) using short-axis inversion-recovery gradient-echo sequences, with the following two different protocols, in randomized order: 0.05 mmol/kg and imaging at the 2.5th, 5th, 7.5th and 10th minute plus 0.05 mmol/kg and imaging at the 12.5th, 15th, 17.5th and 20th minute; the same as before but using 0.1 mmol/kg for both contrast injections. Contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) between infarcted myocardium, non-infarcted myocardium and left ventricle cavity were calculated for each time-point (2.5-min steps). Friedman ANOVA was used for comparing the CNR time-course; Wilcoxon test for comparing CNR at the 10th and the 20th minute. RESULTS: The CNR between infarcted and non-infarcted myocardium obtained at the 20th minute with 0.05 plus 0.05 mmol/kg resulted significantly higher than that obtained at the 10th minute with 0.05 mmol/kg (P=0.033) while not significantly different from that obtained at the 10th (0.1mm/kg) or at the 20th minute with 0.1 plus 0.1 mmol/kg. The CNR between infarcted myocardium and the left ventricle cavity obtained at the 20th minute with 0.05 plus 0.05 mmol/kg resulted significantly higher than all other measured values (P≤0.017). CONCLUSION: Using gadobenate dimeglumine, 0.05 plus 0.05 mmol/kg allows for a higher CNR between infarcted myocardium and the left ventricle cavity allowing for reliable assessment of the sub-endocardial infarctions.

Impact of surgical ventricular reconstruction on stroke volume in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular end-diastolic volume is decreased and ejection fraction is increased after surgical ventricular reconstruction; however, the impact on left ventricular stroke volume is not well established. METHODS: We analyzed 248 consecutive patients who underwent surgical ventricular reconstruction at a single center. There were 14 perioperative deaths (5.6%). The 234 surviving patients had pre- and postsurgical ventricular reconstruction echocardiographic measurement of end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and stroke volume, each indexed to body size and ejection fraction. A total of 120 patients had echocardiography data at follow-up (median 8 months). RESULTS: Overall, surgical ventricular reconstruction resulted in reductions in end-diastolic volume index (-30% ± 18%) and end-systolic volume index (-37% ± 20%), and increases in ejection fraction (21% ± 18% relative increase). However, stroke volume index decreased from 35 ± 8 mL/m(2) preoperatively to 28 ± 7 mL/m(2) early postoperatively (a 17% ± 24% relative reduction, P < .0001); 165 patients (71%) exhibited a decrease and 69 patients (29%) exhibited an increase or no change in stroke volume index after surgical ventricular reconstruction. Stroke volume index reduction was strictly related to end-diastolic volume reduction. Patients who initially had a stroke volume index decrease showed recovery, so that at the time of chronic follow-up there was no significant difference between the groups. Notably, 4-year survival was approximately 85% and did not differ between patients with an increase or decrease in stroke volume index (P = .383). CONCLUSIONS: Although surgical ventricular reconstruction uniformly results in an impressive decrease in end-diastolic volume index and increase in ejection fraction, seemingly indicating beneficial remodeling and improved pump function, systolic volume index, which more directly indexes cardiac pump function, frequently decreases after surgical ventricular reconstruction. Further study is needed to identify baseline characteristics that predict those patients in whom cardiac performance is enhanced by surgical ventricular reconstruction and to clarify whether there is a beneficial impact on exercise tolerance and cardiac output at peak exercise.

End-systolic volume following surgical ventricular reconstruction impacts survival in patients with ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: A left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) > or =60 mL/m(2) has been shown to be associated with increased cardiac mortality after a reperfused myocardial infarction (MI). The reduction in LVESV following surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) is reported to be between 19% and 50% but its impact on prognosis is not well-established. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the impact on survival of a residual LVESV index (LVESVI) of > or = or <60 mL/m(2) following SVR. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients undergoing SVR at our Centre between July 2001 and March 2009 were eligible to be included in this study if they had a preoperative LVESVI of > or =60 mL/m(2) and an LVESVI measurement performed at discharge (7-10 days after surgery). Two hundred and sixteen patients (aged 64 +/- 9 years, 33 women) satisfied these criteria. Coronary artery bypass graft was performed in 197 patients (91.2%) and mitral repair in 63 patients (29%). Left ventricular ESVI had decreased by 41% at discharge in the overall population. Patients were grouped according to the residual LVESVI at discharge as follows: Group 1, LVESVI > or = 60 mL/m(2) (n = 71), and Group 2, LVESVI < 60 mL/m(2) (n = 145). In both groups, LVESVI decreased significantly with respect to baseline, by 29% in Group 1 and by 47% in Group 2. At multivariate analysis, the presence of a non-Q-wave MI and a preoperative internal diastolic diameter of 65 mm were the strongest predictors of a residual post-operative LVESVI of > or =60 mL/m(2). Risk of all-cause death was significantly higher in Group 1. Post-operative LVESVI of > or =60 mL/m(2) was an independent predictor of mortality at follow-up [Exp(B) = 10.7, CI: 2.67-42.9, P = 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm the role of LVESVI in predicting survival following SVR; the lack of additional improvement in survival with SVR observed in the STICH trial might be due to the inadequate volume reduction (-19%).

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and outcomes in patients undergoing surgical ventricular restoration.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) levels have been shown to be increased at baseline in patients undergoing surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) of the left ventricle. However, changes in the values of this marker in the early postoperative period and its prognostic significance remain less known in these patients. We evaluated 31 consecutive patients undergoing SVR who had NT-pro-BNP determined a day before SVR and from postoperative days 0 to 4. Major morbidity was defined as > or =1 of the following: ventilation >48 hours, stroke, acute renal failure, low cardiac output, reoperation, or mediastinitis. The association of preoperative NT-pro-BNP with perioperative outcomes was assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to test its discrimination power. Major morbidity occurred in 16 patients (52%) with only 1 death within 30 days of SVR. Mean preoperative NT-pro-BNP was 4.5-fold higher in patients with postoperative major morbidity than in those without it (3,022 +/- 2,981 vs 676 +/- 533 pg/ml, p = 0.007). On multivariate analysis, preoperative NT-pro-BNP was independently associated with major morbidity after adjusting for baseline confounding, particularly age, ejection fraction, and European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (odds ratio 1.002, 95% confidence interval 1.001 to 1.003, p = 0.032). Preoperative NT-pro-BNP had a high discrimination power on receiver operating characteristic analysis for major morbidity (area under the curve 0.84, sensitivity 68%, and specificity 88% for 1,304 pg/ml). Although NT-pro-BNP levels decreased after SVR in patients without major morbidity, their levels remained persistently increased in those with it. In conclusion, preoperative NT-pro-BNP determination may be of value in stratifying the risk for major morbidity after SVR.

Surgical ventricular reconstruction with different myocardial protection strategies. A propensity matched analysis.

The aim of this study is to compare outcomes of patients undergoing surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) with normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and beating heart or hypothermic CPB and cardioplegic arrest. Between 2001 and 2008, 588 patients underwent SVR. A propensity score matching was performed and 91 matched pairs were created: group 1 (G1) operated with normothermic CPB and beating-heart technique, and group 2 (G2) operated with hypothermic CPB and cardioplegic arrest. Mean age was 62+/-9 years in G1 and 63+/-10 years in G2 [not significant (NS)]. Average follow-up was 42.7+/-26 months (range 1-72). Major cardiac and cerebro-vascular events (MACCE) were assessed. Thirty-day mortality was 4% in G1 and 5% in G2 (NS). Kaplan-Meier survival at six years was 79+/-4% and 72+/-9% (NS) and freedom from MACCE was 82+/-4% and 83+/-7% in G1 and G2, respectively (NS). Left ventricular volume reduction, ejection fraction and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class improvement were significant in the overall population; no significant differences were found between groups. The following independent risk factors for cardiac death were identified: mitral valve regurgitation, surgery <3 months from myocardial infarction, NYHA class III-IV. This study showed that outcomes following SVR are not affected by myocardial protection strategies neither in cardiac function and clinical status nor in survival.

Effects of surgical ventricular reconstruction on diastolic function at midterm follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: Limited data are available on the effects of surgical ventricular reconstruction on diastolic function. The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in diastolic function induced by surgical ventricular reconstruction at 2 time intervals after surgery (discharge and follow-up) and to assess the impact of diastolic changes on clinical outcome. METHODS: A total of 129 patients (65 +/- 9 years, 14 women) underwent echocardiographic Doppler evaluation before surgical ventricular reconstruction, at discharge, and at follow-up (median 7 months). Patients with mitral regurgitation were excluded. Diastolic pattern was graded as follows: 0 (normal), 1 (abnormal relaxation), 2 (pseudo normalization), 3 (restrictive, reversible), and 4 (restrictive, irreversible). RESULTS: At follow-up, 28 (21.7%) of 129 patients showed a restrictive diastolic pattern (grade 3-4; group 1) and 101 did not (diastolic pattern grade 0-2; group 2). Preoperative and postoperative factors strongly associated with late diastolic restriction included sphericity index (higher in group 1), ventricular shape (nonaneurysmal shape more frequent in group 1), internal dimensions (greater in group 1), diastolic pattern (higher in group 1), ejection fraction (lower in group 1); left atrial dimensions (greater in group 1); mitral regurgitation rate (higher in group 1). At multivariate analysis the most powerful predictors of restriction were preoperative pseudonormalization of diastolic pattern (diastolic pattern 2) and septolateral dimensions (short axis). Overall, ejection fraction improved from 33% +/- 9% to 40% +/- 9% to 40% +/- 9%; P = .001; end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes decreased (112 +/- 41 to 73 +/- 21 to 88 +/- 28 mL/m(2), respectively; P = .001; and 77 +/- 38 to 44 +/- 17 to 52 +/- 24 mL/m(2), respectively; P = .001); New York Heart Association class improved (2.4 +/- 0.8 to 1.6 +/- 0.6; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Mild preoperative diastolic dysfunction (pseudonormalized pattern) and increased septolateral dimensions are independent predictors of diastolic restriction after surgical ventricular reconstruction.

Diabetes mellitus and long-term outcome in heart failure patients after surgical ventricular restoration.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the impact of diabetes mellitus and related comorbidities on long-term survival of heart failure patients who had undergone surgical ventricular restoration. Surgical ventricular restoration is an optional therapeutic strategy for patients with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Reported prognostic predictors for late morbidity and mortality are predominantly related to cardiac conditions, whereas the prognostic impact of comorbidities still needs to be defined. METHODS: A total of 329 patients (234 nondiabetic and 95 diabetic) who survived the surgical ventricular restoration operation were admitted to this study. Cardiac mortality follow-up data were collected. Actuarial survival curves were calculated for the two groups; differences between groups and the impact of other comorbidities were established using a log-rank test and a Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 44 months. Diabetic patients had a significantly worse survival rate: at 5 years, their survival rate was 81%, versus 89% for nondiabetic patients (p = 0.019). Other comorbidities significantly associated with the survival rate were chronic renal failure, New York Heart Association class, and liver dysfunction. Diabetic patients without comorbidities had a survival rate similar to that of nondiabetic patients. Diabetic patients with at least one comorbidity had a significantly worse outcome. Diabetic patients with chronic renal failure had a 5-year survival rate of 40%, versus 85% for nondiabetic patients (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Noncomplicated diabetes has no negative impact on long-term survival after surgical ventricular restoration. Conversely, complicated diabetes, namely the presence of chronic renal failure, carries a long-term cardiac mortality risk that is four times higher than the risk for nondiabetic patients.

Surgical treatment of ischemic heart failure: the Dor procedure.

Despite the improvements in the treatment of myocardial infarction that have translated into a decline in mortality rates, the incidence of heart failure has increased and, because of the limited number of cardiac donors, non-transplant heart surgery has developed in the past 10 years. Surgical ventricular reconstruction was launched by Dor and defined as endoventricular circular patch plasty repair. It represents a relatively novel surgical approach aiming to restore (bring back to normal) the dilated, distorted left ventricular (LV) cavity in order to improve function. The term ;surgical ventricular reconstruction/restoration' includes operative methods that reduce LV volume and restore its shape. The concept of reducing wall stress through surgical restoration of chamber size and geometry remains the guiding principle behind this innovative technique. Results from different Institutions are uniform and show an improvement in cardiac and clinical status and in survival. The present review will approach the rationale to re-shape the heart on the basis of pathophysiology and cardiac architecture, and will describe the efficacy of the Dor procedure in ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, as well as some technical aspects and patient selection pathway.

Surgical ventricular restoration: left ventricular shape influence on cardiac function, clinical status, and survival.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction can result in a spectrum of left ventricular (LV) shape abnormalities. Surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) can be applied to any, but there are no data that relate its effectiveness to LV shape. Moreover, there is no consensus on the benefit of SVR in patients with a markedly dilated ventricle, without clear demarcation between scarred and normal tissue. This study describes postmyocardial infarction shape abnormalities and cardiac function, clinical status, and survival in patients undergoing SVR. METHODS: Echo studies of 178 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Three types of LV shape abnormalities were identified: type 1 (true aneurysm), type 2 (nonaneurysmal lesions defined as intermediate cardiomyopathy), and type 3 (ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy). RESULTS: SVR induced significant improvement in cardiac and clinical status in all patients, regardless LV shape types. Although not significant, mortality was higher in types 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy and not just the true aneurysm can be successfully treated with SVR. Shape classification may be useful to improve patient selection and compare results from different institutions that are otherwise impossible to compare.

Impact of surgical ventricular restoration on diastolic function: implications of shape and residual ventricular size.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on left ventricle (LV) diastolic function in patients with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy submitted to surgical ventricular restoration (SVR). The purpose of this study was to assess postoperative diastolic function changes and identify potential predictors of its worsening. METHODS: One hundred and forty-six patients (65 +/- 9 years) with previous anterior myocardial infarction were evaluated before and after SVR. Hemodynamic and geometric parameters including the sphericity index and conicity index were measured. Diastolic function was explored using the transmitral flow velocity pattern, and four classes were defined: normal, abnormal relaxation, pseudonormal, and restrictive pattern. Diastolic function was defined as unchanged (no difference in diastolic pattern), improved (at least one class less), or worsened (at least one class more or, in the case of preoperative restrictive pattern, an early transmitral flow velocity to atrial flow velocity [E/A] ratio increase of at least 20%). RESULTS: The filling pattern before SVR was normal in 7 patients (4.8%), abnormal relaxation in 99 (68%), pseudonormal in 28 (19%), and restrictive in 12 (8.2%). After SVR, the filling pattern was unchanged in 105 patients (72%), improved in 14 (9.6%), and worsened in 27 (18.4%). Based on the univariate analysis, the preoperative conicity index and the end-diastolic volume difference (the result of surgical volume reduction) were associated with a diastolic pattern worsening. CONCLUSIONS: Diastolic function did not change or improve in the majority of patients. In the minority of patients who experienced worsening, this was associated with the preoperative LV shape and residual volume.

The Ross procedure in adults: long-term follow-up and echocardiographic changes leading to pulmonary autograft reoperation.

BACKGROUND: This is a clinical investigation of the mid- to long-term follow-up of the Ross procedure in adult patients. The primary end point is to explore the incidence and risk factors for a reoperation on the pulmonary autograft. The secondary end points are to explore the incidence of neoaortic root dilation and valve regurgitation, and the echocardiographic profile leading to a reoperation. METHODS: Ross operations were done in 110 adults who received at least two echocardiographic examinations for a mean follow-up time of 82 months (range, 5 to 155 months). Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were applied to assess freedom from events and risk factors for events. RESULTS: Freedom from reoperation on the pulmonary autograft, neoaortic root dilation, and moderate-severe neoaortic valve regurgitation were, respectively, 91.4%, 50%, and 70% at 12 years. The main risk factor for a reoperation was the degree of neoaortic valve regurgitation within the first 2 years of follow-up. Patients requiring an early (4 years) reoperation had severe neoaortic root dilation and severe neoaortic valve regurgitation. The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter at the third year of follow-up was a risk factor for late reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: The Ross operation in adults is a safe procedure with good clinical results in mid- to long-term follow-up. Early reoperations are due to early neoaortic valve regurgitation, wheras late reoperations are due to progressive neoaortic root dilation.

Aortic valve replacement in octogenarians: is biologic valve the unique solution?

BACKGROUND: This study analyzed morbidity, mortality, and quality of life after aortic valve replacement with mechanical and biologic prostheses in octogenarian patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in 345 consecutive patients, mean age of 82 +/- 2 years (range, 80 to 92), who had aortic valve replacement from May 1991 to April 2005. A bioprosthesis (group I) was used in 200 patients (58%), and 145 (42%) received a mechanical prosthesis (group II). Associated cardiac procedures were done in 211 patients (61%), of which 71% were coronary artery bypass grafting. Patients had symptomatic aortic stenosis (84.3%) or associated aortic insufficiency; 88% were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV. The mean preoperative aortic valve gradient was 62 +/- 16 mm Hg (range, 25 to 122 mm Hg). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was good (0.52 +/- 0.12); 30 patients (8.7%) had an ejection fraction of less than 0.30. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality rate was 7.5% (26 patients); 17 (8.5%) in group I and 9 (6.2%) in group II (p = 0.536) Significant predictors of operative mortality were preoperative renal insufficiency (blood creatinine > 2.00 mg/mL) and need for urgent operation. Mean follow-up, complete at 100%, was 40 +/- 33 months (range, 1 to 176 months). Long-term follow-up, using Kaplan-Meier analysis, showed an overall survival of 61% at 5 years and 21% at 10 years; survival by type of prosthesis was significantly higher with mechanical prostheses (log-rank p = 0.03). Freedom from cerebrovascular events (thromboembolic/hemorrhagic) at 5 and 10 years was 89% and 62% in the mechanical group and 92% and 77% in the biologic group (p = 0.76). Postoperative NYHA functional class was I or II in 96% of patients. Quality-of-life scores were excellent considering the age of the patients. No differences were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment for symptomatic aortic stenosis in octogenarians has an acceptable operative risk with excellent long-term results and good quality of life. In this cohort, survival rate is slightly but significantly higher with mechanical prostheses.

Effectiveness of surgical ventricular restoration in patients with dilated ischemic cardiomyopathy and unrepaired mild mitral regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: Any grade of ischemic mitral regurgitation is associated with excess mortality. Whether mild ischemic mitral regurgitation should be repaired at the time of either coronary artery bypass grafting or surgical ventricular restoration is controversial. Surgical ventricular restoration is a treatment option for dilated post-infarction cardiomyopathy and has the potential to improve mitral functioning. The present study assessed the effectiveness of surgical ventricular restoration and unrepaired mild ischemic mitral regurgitation on left ventricular geometry, cardiac and functional status, and survival. METHODS: We analyzed 55 patients with previous anterior infarction (age 65 +/- 10 years) and mild chronic functional mitral regurgitation who underwent surgical ventricular restoration and coronary artery bypass grafting without mitral repair at our center. Left ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, and geometric parameters were measured before and after surgery. RESULTS: Even mild ischemic mitral regurgitation is characterized by abnormal left ventricular geometry when compared with that of patients without mitral regurgitation at comparable ventricular volumes and ejection fraction. Surgical ventricular restoration induces a significant decrease in left ventricular volumes, left ventricular diameters, and papillary muscle distance; and an improvement in ejection fraction and New York Heart Association class. Ischemic mitral regurgitation significantly decreases in the majority of patients. Survival is 93% at 1 year and 88% at 3 years. CONCLUSION: Surgical ventricular restoration improves mitral functioning by improving geometry abnormalities. Survival is optimal and greater than would be expected in patients with post-infarction dilated ventricles and depressed left ventricular function. Our data indicate that mitral repair in conjunction with surgical ventricular restoration is unnecessary in such patients.

Left ventricular restoration: how important is the surgical treatment of ischemic heart failure trial?

If the Surgical Treatment of Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial demonstrates that surgical therapy is superior to medical therapy, early aggressive evaluation of coronary artery disease as a potentially correctable cause of new-onset heart failure would be the preferred strategy. This strategy could tremendously change the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Confirming the STICH revascularization hypothesis will dramatically increase the use of coronary artery bypass grafting among the millions of patients now being medically treated without evaluation for an ischemic cause.

Surgical therapy for ischemic heart failure: single-center experience with surgical anterior ventricular restoration.

OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were (1) to report operative and long-term mortality in patients submitted to anterior surgical ventricular restoration, (2) to report changes in clinical and cardiac status induced by surgical ventricular restoration, and (3) to report predictors of death in a large cohort of patients operated on at San Donato Hospital, Milan, Italy. METHODS: A total of 1161 consecutive patients (83% men, 62 +/- 10 years) had anterior surgical ventricular restoration with or without coronary artery bypass grafting and with or without mitral repair/replacement. A complete echocardiographic study was performed in 488 of 1161 patients operated on between January 1998 and October 2005 (study group). The indication for surgery was heart failure in 60% of patients, angina, and/or a combination of the two. RESULTS: Thirty-day cardiac mortality was 4.7% (55/1161) in the overall group and 4.9% (24/488) in the study group. Determinants of hospital mortality were mitral valve regurgitation and need for a mitral valve repair/replacement. Mitral regurgitation (>2+) associated with a New York Heart Association class greater than II and with diastolic dysfunction (early-to-late diastolic filling pressure >2) further increases mortality risk. Global systolic function improved postoperatively: ejection fraction improved from 33% +/- 9% to 40% +/- 10% (P < .001); end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes decreased from 211 +/- 73 to 142 +/- 50 and 145 +/- 64 to 88 +/- 40 mL, respectively (P < .001) early after surgery. New York Heart Association functional class improved from 2.7 +/- 0.9 to 1.6 +/- 0.7 (P < .001) late after surgery. Long-term survival in the overall population was 63% at 120 months. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical ventricular restoration for ischemic heart failure reduces ventricular volumes, improves cardiac function and functional status, carries an acceptable operative mortality, and results in good long-term survival. Predictors of operative mortality are mitral regurgitation of 2+ or more, New York Heart Association class greater than II, and diastolic dysfunction (early-to-late diastolic filling pressure >2).