Six-minute walk test predicts mortality in TMVR patients

(HealthDay)—For patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR), the six-minute walk test (6MWT) is independently associated with mortality, according to a research letter published in the May 3 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Mike Saji, M.D., from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, and colleagues examined whether the pre-procedural 6MWT could predict mortality in patients undergoing TMVR. A cohort of 139 high-risk or prohibitive-risk patients who attempted the 6MWT during the month before the TMVR were enrolled in the study; 15 were excluded due to a lack of data. Patients were categorized into three groups according to the 6MWT distance (6MWTD): ≥233 m, <233 m, and unable to walk.

The researchers found that the procedural success was 96 percent and mortality was 7.1 percent at 30 days. The three groups did not differ in terms of procedural success or complications. The highest mortality rate was seen for those unable to walk, while lower mortality rates were seen for the 6MWTD ≥233 m and 6MWTD <233 m groups (P < 0.001). The 6MWTD was an independent predictor of mortality on multivariate analysis.

"This is the first study to assess the pre-procedural 6MWT as a predictor of mortality in patients undergoing the TMVR procedure," the authors write. "We found poorer baseline functional capacity to be independently associated with mortality."

Several authors disclosed financial ties to Abbott Vascular.