Surrogates for myocardial power and power efficiency in patients with aortic valve disease

We aimed to assess surrogate markers for left ventricular (LV) myocardial power and efficiency in patients with isolated aortic stenosis (AS) and combined stenosis/regurgitation (AS/AR). In AS (n = 59), AS/AR (n = 21) and controls (n = 14), surrogates for LV myocardial power and circulatory/external myocardial efficiency were obtained from cardiac MRI. Median surrogate LV myocardial power was increased in AS, 7.7 W/m² (interquartile range 6.0-10.2; p = 0.010) and AS/AR, 10.8 W/m² (8.9-13.4; p < 0.001) when compared to controls, 5.4 W/m² (4.2-6.5), and was lower in AS than AS/AR (p < 0.001). Surrogate circulatory efficiency was decreased in AS, 8.6% (6.8-11.1; p < 0.001) and AS/AR, 5.4% (4.1-6.2; p < 0.001) when compared to controls, 11.8% (9.8-16.9). Surrogate external myocardial efficiency was higher in AS, 15.2% (11.9-18.6) than in AS/AR, 12.2% (10.1-14.2; p = 0.031) and was significantly lower compared to controls, 12.2% (10.7-18.1) in patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF), 9.8% (8.1-11.7; p = 0.025). In 16% of all cases, left ventricular mass/volume indices and EF were within normal ranges, wheras surrogate LV myocardial power was elevated and patients were symptomatic. Although influenced by pressure/volume load, the myocardium is additionally affected by remodelling processes. Surrogates for circulatory efficiency and LV myocardial power gradually reflect alterations in patients with AS and AS/AR, even when surrogate external myocardial efficiency, EF, mass and volume indices still remain compensated.