Dobutamine stress echocardiography during transcatheter edge‐to‐edge mitral valve repair predicts residual mitral regurgitation

Abstract Objectives The current study sought to determine whether low‐dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) during transcatheter edge‐to‐edge mitral valve repair (TMVR) can predict residual mitral regurgitation (MR) at discharge. Background In most patients, TMVR can successfully reduce MR from severe to mild or moderate. However, general anesthesia during the intervention affects hemodynamics and MR assessment. At discharge transthoracic echocardiogram residual MR (>moderate) is present in 10%–30% of patients which is associated with worse clinical outcome. Methods In consecutive patients the severity of MR was determined at baseline, immediately after TMVR clip implantation and subsequently during low‐dose DSE (both under general anesthesia) and at discharge. Results A total of 39 patients were included (mean age 76.1 ± 8.1 years, 39% male, 56% functional MR, 41% left ventricular ejection fraction < 45%). An increase of MR during DSE was seen in 11 patients, of whom 6 (55%) showed >moderate MR at discharge. None of the 28 patients without an increase of MR during DSE showed >moderate MR at discharge. The diagnostic performance of the test could be established at a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 85% in unselected patients. Conclusions DSE during TMVR is a useful tool to predict residual MR at discharge. It could support procedural decision making, including implantation of additional clips and thus potentially improve clinical outcome.