Change in biventricular function after cone reconstruction of Ebstein's anomaly: an echocardiographic study

The Cone reconstruction in Ebstein's anomaly (EA) aims to reduce tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) and reposition the valve to the anatomic annulus, but post-operative progress of ventricular function is poorly understood. This study evaluated biventricular function after Cone reconstruction using echocardiographic techniques.

A retrospective study assessing longitudinal change was conducted from 2009 to 2014. All symptomatic patients with EA and severe TR undergoing surgery were included. Transthoracic advanced echocardiography was performed pre- and post-operatively (at short-term (<30 days) and mid-term). Conventional and longitudinal 2D strain parameters were measured for left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV). Paired analyses were compared using Wilcoxon Matched-pairs signed rank test. From the 38 patients operated for EA, the echocardiographic data of 17 patients, aged 15 (1-57 years) at operation could be analysed. Median follow up was 6 months (8 days-54 months). The tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (26.42 ± 5.79 mm vs. 8.75 ± 3.18 mm, P < 0.001), RV fractional area change (FAC) (45.00 ± 8.13% vs. 35.46 ± 5.76%, P = 0.038) and LV 2D peak systolic strain were significantly reduced post-operatively (-20.49 ± 2.79 vs. -17.73 ± 2.76, P = 0.041), with a trend to later recovery for LV 2D strain. There was no evidence of systolic mechanical dys-synchrony before or after operation.

Although clinical outcome of Cone reconstruction for EA remains excellent, acute post-operative changes leads to reduction of myocardial function of both ventricles, with a trend to later recovery for LV. Continuing impairment of RV function is multifactorial but may reflect intrinsic myocardial deficiency.