Dynamic severe mitral regurgitation on hospital arrival as prognostic predictor in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure.

BACKGROUND

Severe mitral regurgitation (MR) on hospital arrival at the onset of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) can improve after ADHF treatment because MR is dynamic in nature. This study investigated the clinical significance of the dynamic severe MR on hospital arrival in ADHF patients.

METHODS

Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on 784 patients hospitalized for ADHF both on arrival and after ADHF treatment, of whom 563 with at least mild MR after ADHF treatment were enrolled and divided into 3 groups based on the MR severity: severe at both times (persistent MR, n = 106); severe on arrival and improved to mild/moderate after ADHF treatment (dynamic MR, n = 149); and mild/moderate at both times (non-significant MR, n = 308). The primary outcome measure was defined as a composite of cardiac death, rehospitalization for heart failure, and mitral valve intervention within 1-year.

RESULTS

The incidence of the primary outcome measure in the dynamic MR group (44.8%) was significantly higher than that in the non-significant MR group (22.1%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34-0.73, P < 0.001), and similar to that in the persistent MR group (44.4%, adjusted HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.69-1.67, P = 0.75). The risk of dynamic MR was consistent in the subgroups of patients with reduced (<45%) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (P = 0.56).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients hospitalized for ADHF, dynamic severe MR on hospital arrival was associated with poorer outcomes than non-significant MR and had similar risk to persistent severe MR. Acute dynamic MR is a potential therapeutic target in ADHF patients.