The effects of successful percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty on acute and intermediate term aortic stiffness

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) on short- and intermediate-term aortic stiffness in patients with mitral stenosis.

This prospective study included 56 patients with critical mitral stenosis in normal sinus rhythm (68% female; mean age: 42 ± 11 years) and 37 healthy controls. Aortic stiffness was measured using transthoracic echocardiography before PMBV, and 24-48 hours and 1 year post procedure.

Aortic strain and distensibility were significantly higher in the patients with mitral stenosis, both after PMBV and 1 year post procedure, whereas the aortic stiffness index (ASI) was significantly lower. There was also a significant decrease in mitral mean gradient (MMG) and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) after PMBV, based on echocardiography and catheterization. Mitral valve area (MVA) significantly increased after PMBV. There was a significant correlation between change in ∆MVA and ∆MMG and aortic elastic properties. There was a significantly negative correlation between the ∆MVA and ∆∆ aortic stiffness (r = -0.62, P < 0.001), and a significantly positive correlation between ∆MMG and ∆ASI (r = 0.60, P < 0.001).

Mitral valve stenosis was associated with impaired aortic stiffness and following PMBV, aortic stiffness decreased during both the acute period and the intermediate period.