Objective: To define the mechanisms of ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) and its correlation with left ventricular (LV) function prior to and 1 year following mitral valve (MV) repair.
Design: Fifty-three patients (pts) underwent echocardiographic evaluation of the MR mechanism according to Carpentier's classification; quantification of MR and LV function.
Results: Forty-one, 5% of pts had Type I (annulus dilation), 20, 5% had Type II (commissural prolapse) and 38% had Type IIIb MR (predominant posterior leaflet restriction). Preoperative LV function was slightly better preserved in pts with Type II and IIIb MR. Despite similar MV repair efficiency intraoperatively, after 1 year Type I MR progressed vs the remaining types. LV function, including dimensions, ejection fraction and pulmonary artery pressure had a tendency to worsen in pts with Type I and markedly improved in Type II and IIIb MR.
Conclusions: Ischemic MR of Type I is associated with more marked LV dysfunction preoperatively, its further deterioration and MR progression after MV repair. Type II and IIIb MR correlates with better preserved LV function preoperatively and its incremental improvement late after surgery.