Left Ventricular longitudinal Strain before and after Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty

Background: Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography with longitudinal strain analysis is a valuable tool for quantifying left ventricular systolic function in patients with severe mitral stenosis post-percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy, the established standard treatment for symptomatic severe MS with favorable valve morphology. Objectives: This study aimed to assess left ventricular function before and after percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy by using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography. Patients and methods: This was a prospective study that was carried out on 30 patients with severe mitral stenosis undergoing trans-catheter mitral valve commissurotomy using Inoue balloon. Measurement of left ventricular function was performed before and 30 days after PMBV by conventional and two-dimensional strain echocardiography (global longitudinal peak systolic strain). Results: Comparing differences in measurements before and 30 days after balloon mitral valvuloplasty, there were significant improvement in left ventricle (LV) systolic functions according to EF and LV dimensions. As regards longitudinal strain results, there was significant improvement in global longitudinal strain, LVAP2 chamber, LVAP3 chamber and LVAP4 chamber strains. The longitudinal strain of all heart walls showed significant improvement except the inferior wall showed non-significant changes. Conclusion: 2D strain echocardiography revealed enhanced LV systolic function parameters in patients with severe MS following successful PMBV.