Background

Left atrial (LA) enlargement has been previously identified as a predictor of mortality in patients with medically managed mitral regurgitation (MR) due to mitral valve prolapse (MVP). No study has specifically assessed the prognostic value of LA size in patients undergoing mitral valve repair (MVRp).

Objective

We aimed to investigate the relationship between LA area and mortality in patients in sinus rhythm (SR) undergoing MVRp for MVP.

Methods

We included 305 patients in SR who underwent MVRp for MVP. Median follow-up time was 7.9 years. Patients were divided into 3 groups: LA area ≤25 cm2 (reference group), LA 26-30 cm2, and LA >30 cm2.

Results

Compared with patients with an LA area ≤25 cm2, those with an LA area >30 cm2 had a lower 10-year survival (98 ± 2 vs. 86 ± 4%; p = 0.037). In multivariate analysis, after adjustment for established outcome predictors including age, symptoms, EuroSCORE, and left ventricular size and function, LA enlargement >30 cm2 was associated with increased mortality (adjusted HR = 2.20, 95% CI 1.03-4.90; p = 0.042), whereas LA enlargement between 26 and 30 cm2 was not (adjusted HR = 1.37, 95% CI 0.56-3.56; p = 0.52).

Conclusion

LA enlargement is independently predictive of long-term mortality after MVRp in patients in SR with severe MR due to MVP. Our findings suggest that MVRp should be considered before the LA area exceeds 30 cm2.