Parameters associated with ventricular arrhythmias in mitral valve prolapse with significant regurgitation

Objective: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) has been associated with ventricular arrhythmias (VA), but little is known about VA in patients with significant primary mitral regurgitation (MR). Our aim was to describe the prevalence of symptomatic VA in patients with MVP (fibro-elastic deficiency or Barlow's disease) referred for mitral valve (MV) surgery because of moderate-to-severe MR, and to identify clinical, electrocardiographic, standard and advanced echocardiographic parameters associated with VA.

Methods: 610 consecutive patients (64±12 years, 36% female) were included. Symptomatic VA was defined as symptomatic and frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVC, Lown grade ≥2), non-sustained or sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) without ischaemic aetiology.

Results: A total of 67 (11%) patients showed symptomatic VA, of which 3 (4%) had VF, 3 (4%) sustained VT, 27 (40%) non-sustained VT and 34 (51%) frequent PVCs. Patients with VA were significantly younger, more often female and showed T-wave inversions; furthermore, they showed significant MV morphofunctional abnormalities, such as mitral annular disjunction (39% vs 20%, p<0.001), and dilatation (annular diameter 37±5 mm vs 33±6 mm, p<0.001), lower global longitudinal strain (GLS 20.9±3.1% vs 22.0±3.6%, p=0.032) and prolonged mechanical dispersion (45±12 ms vs 38±14 ms, p=0.003) as compared with patients without VA. Female sex, increased MV annular diameter, lower GLS and prolonged mechanical dispersion were identified as independent associates of symptomatic VA.

Conclusion: In patients with MVP with moderate-to-severe MR, symptomatic VA are relatively frequent and associated with significant MV annular abnormalities, subtle left ventricular function impairment and heterogeneous contraction. Assessment of these parameters might help decision-making over further diagnostic analyses and improve risk-stratification.