Short-term regression of left ventricular mass after aortic valve replacement in aortic stenosis with left ventricular concentric hypertrophy

Abstract

After relief of aortic valve obstruction by valvular replacement, the left ventricular mass is supposed to regress. In this study, we assessed the early evolution of left ventricular mass 3 months after operation in patients with aortic stenosis and concentric hypertrophy. Echocardiographic study and measurements were performed in 27 patients (8 women; mean age 62 ± 12 years), according to the recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography. Hypertrophy was defined as concentric when the ratio of left ventricle wall thickness to left ventricle short axis radius was more than 0.45. After surgery, we observed a significant reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, interventricular and posterior wall thickness; the left ventricular mass index reduction was also significant (from 141 ± 36 g/m2 to 107 ± 29 g/m2, p < 0.05). These results already show a significant regression of left ventricular mass 3 months after aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic stenosis accompanied by left ventricular concentric hypertrophy.