Quantitative Assessment of Mitral Apparatus Geometry Using Dual-Source Computed Tomography in Mitral Regurgitation

Abstract

To quantitatively assess the geometric changes in mitral valve apparatus in mitral regurgitation (MR) by dualsource computed tomography (DSCT) and to analyze its impact on MR.
The study subjects consisted of 20 controls, 20 patients with mild MR, and 30 patients with moderate to severe MR, all of whom underwent DSCT. The geometric parameters of the mitral valve were measured by CT and compared among the 3 groups. The correlations between DSCT measurements and MR severity were also analyzed.
As regurgitation worsened, our results showed progressive enlargements of the mitral annular area, anteroposterior diameter, and mitral valve tenting area at the central level. Moreover, a higher mitral valve sphericity index and longer distance between the heads of the papillary muscles reflected a more outward displacement of the papillary muscles. The mitral annular area and tenting area at the central level had strong correlations with regurgitation severity.
DSCT is available to quantitatively assess mitral valve morphology and provide additional information regarding its geometry. The mitral annular area and tenting area at the central level were the strongest determinants of MR severity.