Functional mitral regurgitation in dilated cardiomyopathy: clinical implications and prognosis
Authors: Vallejo Garcia V , Gonzalez Calle D , Castro Garay JC , Garcia Monsalvo M , Borrego Rodriguez J , Gonzalez Martin J , Elvira Laffond A , Nunez Garcia J , Echarte Morales JC , Cruz Gonzalez I , Barreiro Perez M , Sanchez Fernandez PL 
Published: February 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a complex myocardial disease, with a high burden of symptoms and decreased life expectancy. Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a frequent comorbid condition and it is thought that it deteriorates left ventricle (LV) volume and ejection fraction. Guideline directed medical therapy for heart failure improves myocardial function and decreases morbidity and mortality, and there is ongoing interest in the application of novel percutaneous techniques like mitral edge-to-edge repair or resynchronization therapy in order to decrease cardiovascular events (CVE).  Our objective was to analyze if MR is associated with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), left ventricle (LV) or right ventricle (RV) dysfunction and cardiovascular events in patients with DCM.

A retrospective, case control study was designed including 173 patients (mean age 60 years, 73% males, 36% dyslipemia, 30% diabetes, 20% hypertension, 8% current smokers) with diagnosis of DCM and cardiac magnetic resonance study in our center between 2014-2020 according to the latest European Society of Cardiology (ESC) definition and the latest updated position paper. Clinical data, use of guideline directed medical therapy and devices, cardiac imaging tests, mortality and CVE were collected and analyzed. Mitral regurgitation was calculated on CMR and was included if it was more than mild. 

After a mean follow up of 18 months, 53 patients (30%) suffered a CVE (16% heart failure, 14% incident arrythmia, 0,5% stroke 8% death). Patients with MR (n= 48; 28%) had worse LV ejection fraction (-4,8% mean; p=,02), worse RV ejection fraction (-5,5% mean; p=,03), more hospitalizations due to heart failure (OR 1,78; p=,01), had a trend toward increased mortality although it was not statistically significant (p=,01) and a trend towards late gadolinium enhancement (p,13). There was no association with incident arrythmias (p=,5) or stroke (p=,9) 

In multivariate analyses (log regression, multiple linear regression) MR was maintained as an independent predictor of worse RV ejection fraction (mean -3,9%; p=,03), and hospitalization for heart failure (OR 3,8; p=,043). There was also a trend toward increased mortality (p=,1) in our population. Figure. 

In patients with DCM, MR is associated with decreased LV and RV ejection fraction, hospitalization due to heart failure and has a tendency to be associated with mortality. Specific treatment for mitral regurgitation, including percutaneous edge-to-edge repair or surgery according to current guidelines, might decrease the severity of MR in these patients and that could lead to an improved prognosis and less morbidity. Further studies should review the impact of an interventional strategy in mitral regurgitation in patients with DCM.

Abstract Figure. Mitral regurgitation in DCM: prognosis.