Impact of mitral regurgitation on left ventricular remodeling and function in children with rheumatic heart disease.

The impact of mitral regurgitation (MR) from pediatric rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and its effect on left ventricular (LV) remodeling and function following surgical intervention is uncertain. The objective is to explore the impact of mitral valve (MV) surgeries on myocardial mechanics, remodeling and function and identify pre-operative predictors of post-operative dysfunction which may contribute to the optimal timing of intervention. A retrospective review of echocardiographic data was performed of eighteen pediatric patients with RHD (median 9yrs, IQR 6-12) who underwent MV surgery.