Prosthetic mitral valve motion during cardiac dysrhythmias as determined by echocardiography

To assess the changes and physiologic mechanisms of prosthetic valve motion during cardiac dysrhythmias as well as the role of atrial systole in the closure of the mitral valve, M-mode echocardiography was performed in 36 patients with normally functioning prosthetic mitral valves (Björk-Shiley, Starr-Edwards, and Beall valve). Premature closure of the prosthetic mitral valve in diastole with a "sharp" closing motion was seen during first-degree atrioventricular block, atrial fibrillation with ventricular rates less than 60 beats/min, and atrial flutter. A "rounded" premature valve closure due to atrial systole was seen during atrial tachycardia and complete heart block. Atrial systole initiates a closing motion of the prosthetic mitral valve at end-diastole, and ventricular systole completes this closure during normal sinus rhythm. When first-degree atrioventricular block is present, atrial systole alone completes this closure before ventricular contraction. Atrial contraction alone also can effectively close the prosthetic mitral valve during atrial flutter and atrial tachycardia. Other factors (such as left ventricular diastolic volume) may play a role in the effective closure of the prosthetic mitral valve during atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular rates and complete heart block. These findings must be considered in the echocardiographic evaluation of suspected malfunctioning prosthetic mitral valves. A baseline postoperative echocardiogram after prosthesis insertion is important for future evaluation when clinically indicated.