[Hemodynamic sequelae following valve replacement in patients with aortic regurgitation]

Serial echocardiographic analyses of the left ventricle (LV) were performed in 61 patients with aortic regurgitation before, one-six months, and six years after aortic valve replacement (AVR). There was no significant difference in the preoperative hemodynamic and echocardiographic data between 54 survivors and six deceased patients. There was a linear correlation (r = 0.69) between LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) by cineangiography and LV end-diastolic dimension (LVDd) by echocardiography. In patients with LV end-diastolic pressure (EDP) less than 12 mmHg, the LV was markedly dilated before surgery, and LVDd was not normalized until half a year after surgery in half the cases. In 20 patients with LVEDP greater than 12 mmHg, LVDd was normalized in 17 patients up to half a year after surgery. In 11 patients with LV end-systolic dimension (LVDs) greater than 5.2 cm, LVDs was not normalized until six years post surgery in three patients. LVDd was improved six years after surgery in patients with LVDs less than 5.2 cm. Echocardiographically-determined LVDs less than 5.2 cm is recommended for preservation of LV function following aortic valve replacement.