Impact of Procedural Success Definitions on Long‐Term Outcomes in Patients With Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis Treated With Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty: A Multicenter, Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background It is uncertain which percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) success definitions should be used because there are no studies comparing the effects of these definitions on subsequent outcomes. We evaluated the association between 3 success definitions and long‐term clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis who underwent PBMV. Methods and Results This multicenter retrospective study included patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis who underwent PBMV. Three definitions were used as follows: (A) post‐PBMV mitral valve area (MVA) ≥1.5 cm 2 or ≥50% increase in MVA with MR <3+; (B) post‐PBMV MVA ≥1.5 cm 2 and MR ≤2+; and (C) post‐PBMV MVA ≥1.5 cm 2 or ≥50% increase in MVA, with no more than 1‐grade increment in MR. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between PBMV success and the composite of all‐cause mortality, mitral surgery, and repeat PBMV. Successful PBMV, according to definitions A, B, and C was associated with a lower risk of the composite outcomes (definition A—hazard ratio [HR], 0.55 [95% CI, 0.43–0.69], definition B—HR, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.43–0.69], definition C—HR, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.44–0.69]). Patients meeting all 3 success definitions had the lowest risk compared with those who did not meet any definition or met 1 or 2 definitions. Conclusions All 3 success definitions had a prognostic impact on outcomes. Patients who achieved post‐PBMV MVA ≥1.5 cm 2 , irrespective of the percentage increase in MVA, and MR ≤grade 2, with no more than a 1‐grade increment in MR, had the most favorable outcomes.