[Movement of the mitral valve in patients with ischemic cardiopathy].

STUDY OBJECTIVE

1. Determination of the clinical value of the mitral-septal angle (MSA), a new two-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) index, in the evaluation of left ventricular function; 2. Assessment of the relation of incomplete mitral leaflet closure (IMLC) with the presence of mitral regurgitation (MR) or elevated end-diastolic left ventricular pressure (EDLVP).

DESIGN

Prospective study involving subjects without heart disease and patients with coronary artery disease.

SETTING

Cardiology Department of the Hospitais Civis de Lisboa--Hospital de S. Marta.

PARTICIPANTS

We studied: A - 30 normal volunteers; B - 43 patients (pt) with coronary artery disease documented by coronary angiography.

METHODS

Two-Dimensional Echocardiography was performed in all subjects. MSA was measured in early diastole using the apical four-chamber view. Using the same view IMLC was assessed. Echo pulsed Doppler was used to detect the presence of MR. All patients in group B were submitted to cardiac catheterization. EDLVP was measured and left ventriculography and coronary arteriography were performed. Presence of MR was assessed and ejection fraction (EF) calculated. According to EF patients were divided: Group B1 (EF greater than 50 - 23 pt); Group B2 (EF 35-50% - 11 pt); Group B3 (EF less than 35% - 9 pt).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

In group A MSA was always less than 30 degrees and IMLC was never observed. In group B pt with EF greater than 50% had MSA less than 30 degrees in all but one case. Patients with EF less than 50% had MSA superior to 30 degrees in all but two cases. MSA superior to 45 degrees was found in 2 pt with EF 35-50% and in 5 pt with EF less than 35%. IMLC was detected in 11 pt. Only 2 pt had MR and 7 had EDLVP greater than 18 mmHg - 15 pt had an elevated EDLVP in the whole group. IMLC was frequent in group B3 - 7 pt. Correlation between MSA and EF was good (r = -0.81). Sensitivity and specificity of MSA in the separation of pt with EF superior and inferior to 50% was 90% and 95%, respectively: they dropped when we tried to separate pt with EF superior and inferior to 35% (sensitivity 55%, specificity 77%).

CONCLUSIONS

IMLC didn't correlate with the existence of MR or elevated EDLVP; it appears, however, to be associated with poor left ventricular function (EF less than 35%). MSA is a good echocardiographic index of left ventricular in patients with coronary artery disease. It is easily measured and it can be a good alternative to mitral E point septal separation in patients in which left sternal views are difficult or impossible.