To assess the usefulness of cardiac MDCT for the evaluation of cardiac function and morphology of mitral valve replacement (MVR) with or without subvalvular preservation.

Sixteen patients with (n= 10) or without (n= 6) subvalvular sparing and control subjects (n= 6) were evaluated using 16-slice MDCT (Sensation 16, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). Images of MDCT were reconstructed for the evaluation of cardiac morphology and ventricular function. Patients were compared with respect to variables such as ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and the diastolic-systolic left ventricular area ratio on a short-axis view at apical, mid-ventricular, and basal levels.

The average values for cardiac function variables for control subjects and after MVR (with subvalvular preservation versus without subvalvular preservation) were, respectively, 54 ± 8%, 54 ± 7% and 44 ± 6 %, for EF; 91 ± 28 ml, 108 ± 35 ml and 99 ± 33 ml for EDV; 43 ± 19 ml, 52 ± 24 ml and, 56 ± 21 ml for ESV. The area ratio was 2.56, 2.75, 2.09 at the apex; 2.20, 2.17, 1.56 at the mid-ventricular level; 1.90, 1.87, 1.76 at the basal level, respectively. Mid ventricular contraction for patients following subvalvular resection was significantly decreased (p < 0.05).

MDCT is a useful diagnostic modality for functional and morphologic evaluation of MVR.