Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) can result in atrial functional mitral regurgitation (MR), but the mechanism remains controversial. Few data about the relationship between the 3-dimensional morphology of the MV and the degree of MR in AF exist.
Methods: Real-time 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) of the MV was acquired in 168 patients with AF (57.7% persistent AF), including 25 (14.9%) patients with moderate to severe MR (the MR+ group) and 25 patients without AF as controls. The 3-dimensional geometry of the MV apparatus was acquired using dedicated quantification software.
Results: Compared with the group of patients with no or mild MR (the MR- group) and the controls, the MR+ group had a larger left atrium (LA), a more dilated mitral annulus (MA), a reduced annular height to commissural width ratio (AHCWR), indicating flattening of the annular saddle shape, and greater leaflet surfaces and tethering. MR severity was correlated with the MA area (r2 = 0.43, P < 0.01) and the annulus circumference (r2 = 0.38, P < 0.01). A logistic regression analysis indicated that the MA area (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03, P < 0.01), AHCWR (OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.14-0.35, P = 0.04) and MV tenting volume (OR: 3.24, 95% CI: 1.16-9.08, P = 0.03) were independent predictors of MR severity in AF patients.
Conclusions: The mechanisms of "atrial functional MR" are complex and include dilation of the MA, flattening of the annular saddle shape and greater leaflet tethering.
Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Mitral regurgitation; Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.