N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide measurement is useful in predicting left ventricular hypertrophy regression after aortic valve replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Background: The predictive factors for early left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) regression after aortic valve replacement (AVR) have not been fully elucidated. This study was conducted to investigate which preoperative parameters predict early LVH regression after AVR.

Methods And Results: 87 consecutive patients who underwent AVR due to isolated severe aortic stenosis (AS) were analysed.

Early surgery versus conventional treatment for asymptomatic severe mitral regurgitation: a propensity analysis.

Objectives: This study sought to compare long-term outcomes of early surgery with a conventional treatment strategy in asymptomatic patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR).

Background: The timing of surgery in asymptomatic severe MR remains controversial.

Methods: From 1996 to 2009, 610 consecutive asymptomatic patients (364 men, 50 ± 14 years of age) with severe degenerative MR and preserved left ventricular function were evaluated prospectively.

Efficacy of the maze procedure for atrial fibrillation associated with atrial septal defect.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication in elderly patients with atrial septal defect (ASD). The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of the maze procedure in these patients.

Materials And Methods: Between February 2000 and May 2011, 46 patients underwent the maze procedure as a concomitant operation with ASD closure.

Atrioventricular reverse remodeling after valve repair for chronic severe mitral regurgitation: 1-year follow-up.

Background: Chronic severe mitral regurgitation is associated with poor clinical outcome because chronic volume overload leads to hemodynamic changes and left ventricular and left atrial remodeling. Few data are available regarding left atrial volume index regression (LAVIR) and left ventricular mass index regression (LVMIR) after valve surgery for mitral regurgitation. We aimed to identify predictive correlates of LAVIR and LVMIR and to assess the relationship between these regressions.

Preoperative, postoperative and one-year follow-up of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels in volume overload of aortic regurgitation: comparison with pressure overload of aortic stenosis.

Objectives: Limited data are available regarding the impact of pressure or volume overload on the clinical or echocardiographic parameters and the levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with chronic severe aortic valve diseases. We aimed to investigate and compare the relationships between these parameters in such patients.

Methods: One hundred twenty-four consecutive patients who underwent aortic valve replacement for chronic severe aortic valve diseases were enrolled.

Noninvasive estimate of left ventricular filling pressure correlated with early and midterm postoperative cardiovascular events after isolated aortic valve replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether preoperative estimated left ventricular filling pressure predicts the postoperative outcome in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Methods: Two hundred ten patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement because of severe aortic stenosis were analyzed. Left ventricular filling pressure was noninvasively assessed based on the ratio between early diastolic mitral inflow and mitral annular velocity (E/E'), which was calculated based on results of mitral inflow and mitral annular tissue Doppler scanning.

Early surgery versus conventional treatment in asymptomatic very severe aortic stenosis.

Background: The optimal timing of surgical intervention remains controversial in asymptomatic patients with very severe aortic stenosis. We therefore compared the long-term results of early surgery and a conventional treatment strategy.

Methods And Results: From 1996 to 2006, we prospectively included a total of 197 consecutive asymptomatic patients (99 men; age, 63+/-12 years) with very severe aortic stenosis.

Plasma transforming growth factor beta1 as a biochemical marker to predict the persistence of atrial fibrillation after the surgical maze procedure.

Objectives: The Cox maze procedure was developed as a surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation. However, atrial fibrillation recurs in some patients, and atrial remodeling in the form of fibrosis can lead to perpetuation of atrial fibrillation. To identify the predictor of the persistence of atrial fibrillation after the maze procedure using cryoablation, we evaluated the preoperative plasma transforming growth factor beta1.