European multicentre validation study of the accuracy of E/e' ratio in estimating invasive left ventricular filling pressure: EURO-FILLING study.

Aims: The non-invasive estimation of left ventricular filling pressures (LVFPs) represents a main goal in the clinical setting. Current recommendations encourage the use of pulsed-wave Tissue Doppler for calculating the ratio between the preload-dependent transmitral E velocity and the average of septal and lateral early diastolic velocities (e') of the mitral annulus. Despite its wide use, real utility of the E/e' ratio has been recently challenged in patients with either very advanced heart failure or preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction.

Predictive value of global longitudinal strain in a surgical population of organic mitral regurgitation.

Background: Because of the lack of reliable echocardiographic parameters to predict recovery after surgery, the optimal timing of surgery for severe mitral regurgitation remains controversial. The aim of this study was to determine whether global longitudinal strain (GLS) recorded preoperatively could help in predicting left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) postoperatively.

Methods: A total of 88 patients (mean age, 63 ± 13 years; 59 men) with severe degenerative mitral regurgitation were included prospectively in this study.

Prediction of left ventricular ejection fraction 6 months after surgical correction of organic mitral regurgitation: the value of exercise echocardiography and deformation imaging.

Aims: Left ventricular (LV) end-systolic diameter and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) are correlated with postoperative LVEF and prognosis in patients with organic mitral regurgitation (MR). However, in some patients, the LVEF does not return to normal 6 months postoperatively, despite normal preoperative diameters. Thus, our study aimed to evaluate whether preoperative LV strain values assessed by echocardiography at rest and during exercise were predictors of postoperative LVEF at 6-month follow-up in patients undergoing surgery for severe organic MR.