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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
Implications of Mitral Annular Disjunction in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Degenerative
Alon Shechter1, Mordehay Vaturi2, Gloria J Hong3
1Department of Cardiology, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA; Department of Cardiology, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel; Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Background:
Little is known about mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) in patients with mitral annular disjunction (MAD).
Objectives:
The authors sought to explore TEER for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) according to MAD status.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed 271 consecutive patients (median age 82 [Q1-Q3: 75-88] years, 60.9% men) undergoing an isolated, first-ever TEER for whom there were viewable preprocedural echocardiograms. Stratified by MAD status at baseline, the cohort was evaluated for all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalizations, and mitral reinterventions-the composite of which constituted the primary outcome-as well as functional capacity and residual MR, all along the first postprocedural year.
Results:
Individuals with (n = 62, 22.9%) vs without MAD had more extensive prolapse and larger valve dimensions. Although the former's procedures were longer, utilizing more devices per case, technical success rate and residual MR were comparable. MAD presence was associated with higher mortality risk (HR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.82-5.52; P = 0.014), and increased MAD length-with lower odds of functional class ≤II (OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.47-0.88; P = 0.006). Among 47 MAD patients with retrievable 1-month data, MAD regressed in 91.5% and by an overall 50% (Q1-Q3: 22%-100%) compared with baseline (P < 0.001). A greater MAD shortening conferred attenuated risk for the primary outcome.
Conclusions:
In our experience, TEER for degenerative MR accompanied by MAD was feasible and safe; however, its postprocedural course was somewhat less favorable. MAD shortening following TEER was observed in most patients and proved prognostically beneficial.
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Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
Mitral Regurgitation III: Medical Management
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management

