Late recurrence of left ventricular dysfunction after aortic valve replacement for severe chronic aortic regurgitation

BackgroundAortic valve replacement (AVR) for chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) with a decreased ejection fraction (EF) leads to improvement in left ventricular (LV) function, but there are no reports on late recurrence of LV dysfunction over long-term after AVR. This study aimed to identify frequency and predictors of late recurrent LV dysfunction after AVR.MethodsWe retrospectively investigated 58 consecutive patients undergoing AVR for severe chronic AR and with follow-up echocardiography for > 5 years after AVR. Late recurrence of LV dysfunction was defined as an EF of < 50% late after AVR and a 10% reduction in the EF compared with that observed at 1 year after AVR.ResultsThe mean follow-up period was 10.3 ± 5.2 years. The preoperative EF was < 50% in 21 (36%) patients, but it was normalized at 1 year after AVR in all patients except for one. However, late recurrence of LV dysfunction developed in 7 (12%) of the 58 patients. These patients showed significantly higher LV end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters before and at 1 year after AVR, a lower EF and relative wall thickness before AVR, a higher LV mass index at 1 year after AVR, and a higher incidence of preoperative and postoperative atrial fibrillation than those without late recurrence.ConclusionsLate recurrent LV dysfunction may occur after AVR for severe chronic AR despite EF being once normalized. Early surgery proceeding remarkable LV enlargement and maintaining sinus rhythm are important for LV function over the long-term after AVR.