Reduced left ventricular contractility, increased diastolic operant stiffness and high energetic expenditure in patients with severe aortic regurgitation without indication for surgery.

Objectives: Recent mortality studies showed worse prognosis in patients (ARNS) with severe aortic regurgitation and preserved ejection fraction (EF) not fulfilling the criteria of current guidelines for surgery. The aim of our study was to analyse left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function and mechanical energetics to find haemodynamic explanations for the reduced prognosis of these patients and to seek a new concept for surgery.

Methods: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) and echo-based single-beat pressure-volume analyses were performed in patients with ARNS (LV end-diastolic diameter <70 mm, EF >50%, GLS > -19% n = 41), with indication for surgery (ARS; n = 19) and in mild hypertensive controls (C; n = 20).