The impact of preoperative and postoperative pulmonary hypertension on long-term surgical outcome after mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation

Purpose: The aim of this study is to elucidate the impact of preoperative and postoperative pulmonary hypertension (PH) on long-term clinical outcomes after mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation. Methods: A total of 654 patients who underwent mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation between 1991 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into PH(+) group (137 patients) and PH(-) group (517 patients). Follow-up was complete in 99.0%. The median follow-up duration was 7.5 years. Results: Patients in PH(+) group were older, more symptomatic and had higher tricuspid regurgitation grade. Thirty-day mortality was not different between 2 groups (p =0.975). Long-term survival rate was lower in PH(+) group; 10-year survival rate after the operation was 85.2% ±4.0% in PH() group and 89.7% ±1.8% in PH(-) group (Log-rank, p =0.019). The incidence of late cardiac events were not different between groups, however, the recurrence of PH was more frequent in PH(+) group. The recurrence of PH had an adverse impact on survival rate, late cardiac events and symptoms. Univariate analysis showed age and preoperative tricuspid regurgitation grade were the predictors of PH recurrence. Conclusion: Early surgical indication should be advocated for degenerative mitral regurgitation before the progression of pulmonary hypertension and tricuspid regurgitation.