Influence of preoperative right ventricular function on left ventricular remodeling and survival after subvalvular repair for functional mitral regurgitation

The association of right ventricular function with outcomes after cardiac surgery: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Assessment of right ventricular (RV) function is recommended as part of a comprehensive echocardiography exam, including before and after cardiac surgery. Nevertheless, the prognostic implications of various measures of RV function in patients undergoing cardiac surgery are not well characterized. Our goal was to conduct a focused systematic review to assess the association of quantitative parameters of RV function with postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials or observational studies in adult (≥ 18 yr) patients undergoing cardiac surgery with a reported echocardiogram within six months of surgery, intraoperatively, or shortly after surgery. We excluded case reports and case series. Databases included PubMed® and MEDLINE, and papers published from 1 January 1990 to 22 April 2024 were searched for. The primary predictors of interest were quantitative RV function parameters. The primary outcome of interest was postoperative mortality up to five years. The secondary outcome was all major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

RESULTS

We identified 7,187 potentially relevant studies, 27 of which were included; all of these were observational studies. Right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) was the most commonly reported parameter, but was inconsistently associated with mortality and MACE. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and strain were consistently associated with mortality. The most consistent predictor of MACE was RV myocardial performance index (MPI) across studies.

CONCLUSION

Pre- and perioperative assessment of RV function using at least two quantitative echocardiographic parameters may offer prognostic information in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Right ventricular FAC, TAPSE, strain, and RV MPI have been frequently studied; however, further research is needed to delineate the role of echocardiographic RV quantification for perioperative prognostication.

STUDY REGISTRATION

PROSPERO ( CRD42023387383 ); first submitted 23 December 2022.

Right bundle branch block and risk of cardiovascular mortality: the Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study

Historically, a right bundle branch block has been considered a benign finding in asymptomatic individuals. However, this conclusion is based on a few old studies with small sample sizes. We examined the association between a complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) and subsequent cardiovascular mortality in the general population in Japan. In this large community-based cohort study, data of 90,022 individuals (mean age, 58.5 ± 10.2 years; 66.2% women) who participated in annual community-based health check-ups were assessed. Subjects were followed up from 1993 to the end of 2016. Cox proportional hazards' models and log-rank tests were used for the data analysis. CRBBB was documented in 1,344 participants (1.5%). Among all included participants, CRBBB was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality after adjustment for all potential confounders (hazard ratio [HR] 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.38). The increased risk of cardiovascular mortality was particularly evident in women aged < 65 years (HR 2.00; 95% CI 1.34-2.98) and men aged ≥ 65 years (HR 1.28; 95% CI 1.06-1.55). CRBBB is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in women aged < 65 years and men aged ≥ 65 years. Clinicians should be aware of the presence of CRBBB in young women and elderly men, even if they exhibit no symptoms.