2. Equipment and methods
Routine transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography: All patients
received transthoracic echocardiograghy (TTE) and TEE with Philips Epiq
7C echocardiography machine (Philips Netherlands) before CPVA during
sinus rhythm. The patient was laid in left side decubitus position and
connected to the 12-lead ECG; the transthoracic image acquisition used
the ultrasound probe (X5-1) to operate at the sternum side and apex. The
degree of MR was measured by 2 experienced doctors. They collected the
patient’s sinus rhythm for 5 consecutive cardiac cycles. Doctors
observed the structure and function of the mitral valve leaflets,
annulus, chordae tendineae, and papillary muscles to rule out primary
mitral valve diseases. The two-plane Simpson method was used to
calculate ejection fraction. The LAAV of patients was measured by TEE
pulse Doppler. The TTE and TEE data were collected from all patients.
All parameters were analyzed by two attending doctors or above, and the
average value was taken. The two doctors were blinded to each other.