Changes in mitral annular geometry and dynamics with ß

Background: remodeling of the mitral annulus contributes to progression of mitral regurgitation (MR). In patients with moderate-to-severe MR, short-term treatment with β-blockers has been shown to increase left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic and end-systolic volume, and this could deleteriously increase mitral valve annular dimensions. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of a short duration of β-blocker treatment on mitral annular dimensions and dynamics in patients with MR due to primary degenerative valve disease.

Methods and results: twenty-five patients with moderate-to-severe degenerative MR and normal LV systolic function were studied in a double-blind crossover experiment using a β1-selective adrenergic blocker and placebo administered for 14±3 days. Cardiac MRI images were acquired after each treatment period to quantify mitral annular dimensions. At end diastole, there was no change in annular area (1659±331 versus 1632±299 mm(2); P