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Updated: Jul 20, 2026

A Simplified Stepwise Approach to Echo Guidance during Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair
Published on: October 16, 2021
Plasma natriuretic peptide levels reflect changes in heart failure symptoms, left ventricular size and function after
Harm H H Feringa1, Don Poldermans, Patrick Klein
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery/Cardiology, C-5, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands. h.feringa@erasmusmc.nl
Background And Aim:
N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has diagnostic and prognostic value in patients with heart failure. The present prospective study was designed to assess whether changes in NT-proBNP levels after surgical mitral valve repair reflect changes in heart failure symptoms and changes in left atrial size, left ventricular size and left ventricular function.
Methods:
The study population consisted of 22 patients (mean age: 62.8 +/- 14.2 years, 68% male) undergoing surgical mitral valve repair. Serial NT-proBNP measurements, transthoracic echocardiography and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class assessment were performed before and 6 months after surgery.
Results:
All patients underwent successful mitral valve repair and no patients died during follow-up. The decrease in NT-proBNP level was associated with the reduction in left atrial dimension (r = 0.72, P < 0.001), left ventricular end-systolic dimension (r = 0.63, P = 0.002), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (r = 0.46, P = 0.031), and the increase in fractional shortening (r = - 0.63, P = 0.002). Finally, patients with decreasing NT-proBNP levels revealed a significant improvement in heart failure symptoms (NYHA class).
Conclusion:
Changes in NT-proBNP after surgical mitral valve repair reflect changes in heart failure symptoms and changes in left atrial and ventricular dimensions and function.
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