Right ventricular dysfunction after surgical left ventricular restoration: prevalence, risk factors and clinical implications.

OBJECTIVES

Surgical left ventricular (LV) restoration (SVR) induces changes in LV systolic and diastolic function that may affect postoperative right ventricular (RV) function. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effect of SVR on RV function, with specific focus on determinants and prognostic implications of RV dysfunction.

METHODS

Eighty-six patients (age 60 ± 10 years, 73% male) with clinical and echocardiographic follow-up 2 years after SVR were included. RV dysfunction was defined as RV fractional area change <35%. The association between RV dysfunction at follow-up and clinical and echocardiographic characteristics and outcome was investigated.

RESULTS

RV dysfunction at follow-up was present in 40% of patients and was associated with worse preoperative RV fractional area change (39 ± 9 vs 46 ± 7%, P < 0.01), pulmonary hypertension (18 vs 4%, P = 0.03) and higher follow-up LV filling pressures (E/E' ratio 23 ± 8 vs 15 ± 8, P = 0.02). At follow-up, patients with RV dysfunction were more frequently in New York Heart Association Class III or IV (30 vs 12%, P = 0.04) and 5-year mortality, heart transplantation and LV assist device implantation rate was increased (49 vs 17%, P < 0.01) as compared to patients with normal RV function.

CONCLUSIONS

RV dysfunction after SVR was observed in 40% of patients and was associated with preoperative RV dysfunction, presence of pulmonary hypertension and an increase in LV filling pressures at follow-up. Patients with RV dysfunction after SVR had worse clinical functioning and outcome as compared to patients with normal RV function.