Background and aim of the study: Management of patients with aortic regurgitation (AR) and severe impairment of left ventricular (LV) function characterized by an ejection fraction (EF) ≤35% is challenging. Conflicting results regarding perioperative and long-term survival of these patients have been reported. The study aim was to compare in-hospital outcomes and long-term survival of patients with AR and severe LV dysfunction versus moderate dysfunction (35% <EF <50%) versus preserved LV function (EF ≥50%).
Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2013, a retrospective review was conducted of 119 consecutive patients with severe isolated AR who underwent aortic valve replacement at our institution. Overall, 17 patients (14%) had severe LV dysfunction, 26 (22%) had moderate LV dysfunction, and 76 (64%) had a preserved LV function.
Results: Patients with severely depressed EF were older and more severely symptomatic according to NYHA classification. Operative mortality was 0% in all groups. At a median echocardiographic follow up of 21 months, a statistically significant reverse remodelling of the left ventricle and an improvement in EF of the low-EF group were found. Survival for the overall population was 98.3%, 80.7% and 48.1% at one, five, and nine years, respectively. Long-term postoperative survival was not affected by baseline EF (p = 0.635), but age >70 years and NYHA class III/IV symptoms were predictive of survival.
Conclusions: In-hospital and long-term survival was similar in patients with severe LV dysfunction and with preserved or moderately reduced LV function. Positive reverse LV remodelling and improved LV function was evident at the two-year echocardiographic follow up in these patients, who should not be denied aortic valve surgery.