主动脉瓣置换术后人工心脏瓣膜-病人不匹配现象

目的 探讨主动脉瓣置换术后人工心脏瓣膜-病人不匹配(PPM)现象的发生率以及PPM与术后早期血流动力学和病死率的关系.方法 292例主动脉瓣置换手术(AVR)病人,参照人工瓣膜有效开口面积(EOA)和病人的体表面积计算有效开口面积指数(EOAI),EOAI＞0.85 cm2/m2不存在或仅有轻度的PPM;中度PPM 0.65≤EOAI≤0.85 cm2/m2;重度PPM EOAI＜0.65 cm2/m2.超声多普勒测量AVR术后主动脉瓣位平均跨瓣压差和血流速度,比较不同种类瓣膜(机械瓣和生物瓣)和不同大小瓣膜(＞21 mm和≤21 mm)AVR术后PPM发生率以及PPM与术后早期血流动力学、病死率的关系.结果 292例中机械瓣置换术219例,生物瓣置换术73例,两种术后中度PPM发生率分别为6.25%和48.22%(P＜0.01).置换＞21 mm人工瓣膜(191例)和≤21 mm人工瓣膜(101例)术后PPM发生率分别为13.61%和33.66%(P＜0.05).PPM组术后主动脉瓣平均跨瓣压差和平均流速[(26.50±6.25)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)和(2.66±0.87)m/s]显著高于非PPM组[(16.75±3.46)mm Hg和(1.58±0.47)m/s,P＜0.01].PPM组和非PPM组的术后早期病死率分别为6.67%和2.16%(P＜0.05).结论 AVR术后PPM现象普遍存在,尤其是置换生物瓣以及小瓣膜(≤21 mm)者.PPM影响术后瓣膜血流动力学,与术后早期病死率密切相关.     

Aortic valve replacement in elderly patients with small aortic annulus; is the indexed effective orifice area important?

We sought to determine whether the small indexed effective orifice area (EOAI) increased mortality and morbidity after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients over 75 years of age. From May 1999 to July 2005, 77 patients underwent isolated AVR for aortic stenosis. They were divided into 3 groups (S-EOAI : EOAI < or = 0.7 cm2/m2, M-EOAI : 0.7 cm2/m2 相似文献   

Impact of valve prosthesis-patient mismatch on intermediate-term outcome and regression of left ventricular mass following aortic valve replacement with mechanical prosthesis

BACKGROUND: The impact of aortic valve replacement (AVR) with prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) on intermediate-term outcome and left ventricular mass (LVM) regression in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) was investigated. METHODS: One hundred fifty patients with AS (87 pure stenosis and 63 combined stenosis and regurgitation) were classified into a PPM group (n = 34, indexed effective orifice area (EOAI) >0.65 cm(2)/m(2) and < or =0.85 cm(2)/m(2); moderate PPM) and a non-PPM group (n = 116, EOAI > 0.85). Mean age, mean and peak aortic pressure gradient (PG) were not different between the groups (PPM, 99.7 +/- 37.2 and 54.9 +/- 23.2 mmHg; non-PPM, 95.9 +/- 29.2 and 54.4 +/- 16.0 mmHg). The absolute and relative regression in indexed left ventricular mass (LVMI) was estimated by preoperative and postoperative echocardiography (n = 98). RESULTS: Twelve patients died (valve-related death in 7) during 5 years of follow-up. Comparing the PPM and non-PPM groups, overall survival (78.7% vs. 87.8%) and survival free from valve-related death (96.8% vs. 92.1%) were not significantly different. New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class improved in all patients and there were no patients in class III or IV. The postoperative mean PG was 14.6 +/- 6.1 mmHg in the PPM group and 9.4 +/- 3.8 mmHg in the non-PPM group (p = 0.0005), with an inverse correlation (r = -0.48, p < 0.0001) between EOAI and the postoperative mean PG. However, there was no significant difference in the absolute and relative LVMI regression between the two groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed and higher preoperative LVMI and mean aortic PG were independent predictors of greater LVMI regression after AVR. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate PPM does not appear to alter LVMI regression, NYHA class, or intermediate-term outcome in AS patients undergoing AVR with mechanical prostheses. In multivariate analysis, preoperative LVMI and mean aortic PG were important independent predictors of LVMI regression.     

Aortic valve replacement with a small valve prosthesis: a review of clinical and echocardiographic studies for impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch

Aortic valve replacement (AVR) has become standard therapy for treating diseases of the aortic valve. However, the selection of a prosthetic valve is considered to be an important factor determining postoperative recovery of cardiac function and quality of life, because the use of small valve prostheses may cause residual obstruction to left ventricular outflow. The situation in which "the effective prosthetic valve area, after insertion into the patient, is less than that of a normal human valve," has been described as "prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM)." The most commonly used measure of PPM is the valve effective orifice area indexed to body surface area (EOAI), and PPM is generally defined as EOAI < or =0.85cm(2)/m(2). In this paper, we review clinical and echocardiographic studies of small valve prostheses in the aortic position to investigate the clinical impacts of PPM on short- and long-term outcomes after AVR. Some studies have shown decreased symptom resolution, poor regression of left ventricular mass, or decreased survival with an EOAI < or =0.85cm(2)/m(2), while others have observed no adverse effects of PPM on short- and long-term results of AVR. Therefore, even in Western countries, in studies involving large numbers of patients, conclusions drawn concerning the impact of PPM differ greatly among reports. In conclusion, it is desirable to examine in detail, in many patients, whether the use of prosthetic valves with EOAI < or =0.85cm(2)/m(2) is also a risk factor for poor prognosis in Japanese patients, whose body size is in general smaller than that of Western patients.     

Patient-prosthesis mismatch after small-size stentless aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of patient-prosthesis mismatch (P-PM) after aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a small-size Cryolife O'Brien (CLOB) bioprosthesis and to evaluate its clinical and hemodynamic implications. METHODs: Sixty-two patients (mean age 70.9 +/- 5.2 years, 77.8% females), receiving a labeled 21-23 mm CLOB between 1993 and 2000, were retrospectively studied. Effective orifice area (EOA) was calculated by the continuity equation and then indexed to the patient's body surface area (BSA) to obtain the indexed EOA (EOAI). Based on previous observations a mismatch was defined as EOAI or= 0.8 cm/m2 showed an earlier concentric remodeling up to 1 year; no difference was demonstrated at later studies between groups. Survival and clinical status results were not affected by an EOAI 相似文献   

Avoidance of patient-prosthesis mismatch

To minimize the incidence of patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM), we have routinely adopted aortic root enlargement to avoid PPM for patients with small aortic annulus. The aim of this study was to review our strategy of avoiding PPM. The Carpentier-Edwards Perimount (CEP) valves were implanted in 53 patients who were mostly aged over 65 and the St. Jude Medical (SJM) mechanical valves were used in 128 patients aged under 65. A standard 21-mm SJM valve was used in only 3 patients and no 19-mm valves were employed. However, 19-mm CEP valves were used in 12 patients with a small body surface area (1.43 +/- 0.14 m2). Of these, 26 patients (14.4%) who had a small aortic annulus and 24 patients aged under 65 underwent aortic root enlargement. No patient receiving an SJM valve had an projected indexed effective orifice area (EOAI) < or = 0.85 cm2/m2 because of performing aortic valve replacement (AVR) with annular enlargement and only 2 (3.8%) out of 53 patients receiving CEP valves developed PPM. Consequently, the prevalence of PPM was 1.1% in this series. The prevalence of PPM was low in patients over 65 years old with a relatively small body size who received bioprosthetic valves. A pericardial bioprosthesis was considered to be an appropriate valve in older population with regard to avoiding PPM. In patients under 65 years old with a small annulus, the first choice for avoiding PPM is aortic annular enlargement, which may be avoided by high performance mechanical valves with larger EOA.     

Comparison of Exercise Hemodynamics Among Nonstented Aortic Bioprostheses, Mechanical Valves, and Normal Native Aortic Valves

BACKGROUND: While aortic valve prostheses are known to perform well at rest, few studies have examined them under stress. We compared stress hemodynamics of mechanical valves and nonstented porcine valves in the aortic position to that of normal native aortic valves. METHODS: Dobutamine echocardiography was used to assess mean and peak gradients and effective orifice area index (EOAI) at rest and exercise in patients with the Toronto Stentless Porcine Valve (SPV) (n = 13, mean implant size 25.7 mm), Sorin Bicarbon mechanical valve (SOR) (n = 11, mean implant size 24.5 mm), and patients with normal native aortic valves (NOR) (n = 10). Dobutamine infusion was started at 5 micron/kg per minute, and increased by increments of 5 micron/kg per minute until the target heart rate was achieved or until a maximal dose of 40 micron/kg per minute. RESULTS: At rest and exercise, respectively, cardiac output (L/min) was 5.2 and 10.4 for Toronto SPV; 7.4 and 13.5 for SOR; and 4.6 and 11.2 for NOR. Measured EOAI (cm2) was 1.1+/-0.2 and 1.15+/-0.2 for TORONTO SPV; 1.60+/-0.3 and 1.58+/-0.3 for SOR; and 1.45+/-0.2 and 1.46+/-0.2 for NOR. Mean gradients (mmHg) were 5.48+/-1.1 and 5.83+/-0.9 for TORONTO SPV; 5.26+/-0.8 and 11.3+/-1.8 for SOR; and 1.54+/-0.4 and 2.18+/-0.7 for NOR. Peak gradients (mmHg) were 11.9+/-2.0 and 21.0+/-3.7 for TORONTO SPV; 10.79+/-1.7 and 25.9+/-3.4 for SOR; and 2.38+/-0.9 and 6.1+/-2.3 for NOR. CONCLUSIONS: Although the mechanical group (SOR) had larger measured EOAI, the greater increase in gradients with exercise in this group suggests that the TORONTO SPV is less obstructive to flow.     

Does the Use of Stentless Aortic Valves in a Subcoronary Position Prevent Patient‐Prosthesis Mismatch for Small Aortic Annulus?

OBJECTIVE: Freestyle stentless bioprostheses have shown excellent hemodynamic performance. However, small size subcoronary implants have yet to prove their clinical usefulness. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of patient-prosthesis mismatch [PPM = Indexed Effective Orifice Area (iEOA) < or = 0.85 cm2/m2] after aortic valve replacement (AVR) with 19-mm and 21-mm stentless bioprostheses and to evaluate clinical and hemodynamic outcomes. METHODS: From January 1993 to December 2000, 419 patients who had undergone Freestyle bioprostheses implantation were prospectively followed. Sixty-eight patients (16%) received a 19-21-mm prosthesis. The EOA was calculated and indexed to the patient's body surface area to obtain the iEOA. Clinical as well as echographic measures were recorded at discharge and at one and five years. RESULTS: PPM was present in 91% and 80% of patients with 19-mm and 21-mm prostheses, respectively. Severe mismatch (iEOA < or = 0.65 cm2/m2) was present in 58% and 17%. Mean gradients at discharge were 22 +/- 11 mmHg for the 19-mm prostheses and 14 +/- 7 mmHg for the 21-mm prostheses. Perioperative mortality was 33% (4/12 pts) for 19-mm prosthesis and 7% (4/56 pts) for 21-mm prostheses. Five-year actuarial survival was 58% for patients with 19-mm prosthesis and 82% for patients with 21-mm prosthesis (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: AVR with small size Freestyle subcoronary implants is associated with a high incidence of PPM and high mortality.     

二尖瓣位人工瓣膜患者不匹配的初步研究

目的 分析二尖瓣置换术后人工瓣膜患者不匹配(PPM)的发生原因.方法 连续入组2009年1月至6月间接受择期二尖瓣置换术的患者100例,男性37例,女性63例;年龄32～76岁,平均(52±9)岁.术前主要病变为二尖瓣狭窄60例,二尖瓣关闭不全14例,二尖瓣狭窄合并关闭不全26例;合并三尖瓣关闭不全63例.多普勒超声心动图测量人工二尖瓣膜有效瓣口面积,并计算有效瓣口面积指数(EOAI).以人工二尖瓣EOAI＜1.2 cm2/m2作为PPM诊断标准,将患者分为不匹配组和匹配组,对比分析两组患者临床资料.结果 52例患者二尖瓣置换术后发生PPM(52.0%).中度PPM 51例(51.0%),重度PPM 1例(1.0%).不匹配组中男性患者比例高于匹配组(55.8%比16.6%,P＜0.01),体表面积大于匹配组[(1.76±0.17)m2比(1.59±0.13)m2,P＜0.01].两组患者术前病理改变及术中应用人工瓣膜的种类、型号及手术方式无明显差异.术后两组患者心脏结构和功能及三尖瓣关闭不全的发生率无明显差异.结论 二尖瓣位PPM好发于男性、体表面积较大的患者.术中考虑性别、体表面积等因素,选择稍大型号的人工瓣膜,有利于减少术后PPM的发生.

Abstract：

Objective To analysis the causes of valve prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after mitral valve replacement in Chinese patients. Methods Consecutive 100 patients for elective mitral valve replacement from January 2009 to June 2009 were enrolled and followed for this study. There were 37 males and 63 females. The mean age at operation was (52 ± 9 ) years ( ranging 32 to 76 years). The predominant mitral valve lesion was stenosis in 60 patients, regurgitation in 14 patients and mixed in 26 patients. Among them, 63 patients were combined tricuspid valve regurgitation.Mitral valve effective orifice area was measured by Doppler echocardiography in 100 patients who received mitral valve replacement and indexed for body surface area (EOAI). PPM was defined as not clinically significant if the EOAI was above 1.2 cm2/m2, as moderate ifit was ＞0.9 and ≤1.2 cm2/m2, and as severe ifit was ≤ 0.9 cm2/m2. By using the criteria, all 100 patients were classified to two groups: PPM group and no PPM group. The clinical characteristic of the patients between the two groups was compared to determine the causes of PPM and the predictors of outcomes after mitral valve replacement, such as the gender, age, valve prosthesis type, size,body surface area, and mitral valve lesion, et al. Results Of the 100 patients after MVR, 52 (52. 0% )had significant PPM, 51 (51.0%) had moderate PPM, and 1 (1.0%) had severe PPM. In comparison to patients in no PPM group, patients in PPM group had a significantly larger body surface area [( 1.76 ±0. 17) m2 vs. (1.59 ±0. 13) m2, P＜0.01] and higher prevalence of male gender (55.8% vs. 16.6%,P＜0. 01). The other preoperative and operative data were similar in both groups, such as the valve prosthesis type, size, and mitral valve lesion, et al. There were no significant differences in postoperative Doppler-echocardiographic data of cardiac structure and heart function between the two groups (P ＞ 0. 05 ).Conclusions The higher incidence of PPM in mitral valve position was in male or large body surface area patients. At the time of operation, surgeons should consider the related factors, such as the patient's gender and body surface area, et al. A larger prosthesis size might be implanted to avoid PPM in mitral valve position.     

The Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Magna aortic xenograft: a new design with an improved hemodynamic performance

This study compares the implantation characteristics and the hemodynamic performance of the new Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Magna (CEPM) xenograft with those of the standard Perimount (CEPS) valve in the aortic position. Eighty consecutive patients surviving an aortic valve replacement with either the CEPS valve (n=40) or the CEPM prosthesis (n=40) in the supra-annular position were retrospectively reviewed. One year follow-up was complete and hemodynamic performance assessed by Doppler echocardiography. The mean valve size implanted was 21.3+/-1.7 mm (CEPS) vs. 22.2+/-1.8 mm (CEPM). The average mean pressure gradient was 13.6+/-5.1 mmHg in the CEPS group and 9.6+/-3.3 mmHg in the CEPM group (P<0.0001). Mean and peak gradients were slightly lower and the effective orifice areas (EOA) were larger for the Magna prosthesis than for the comparable standard valves: 19 mm (1.58+/-0.2 vs. 1.28+/-0.1 cm(2)), 21 mm (1.90+/-0.4 vs. 1.69+/-0.4 cm(2)), 23 mm (2.07+/-0.3 vs. 1.86+/-0.3 cm(2)), 25 mm (2.30+/-0.1 vs. 1.89+/-0.5 cm(2)). The average indexed EOA was statistically different between groups (CEPS 0.98+/-0.21 cm(2)/m(2) vs. CEPM 1.20+/-0.25 cm(2)/m(2)). Patient-prosthesis mismatch (indexed EOA相似文献   

Performance of 21-mm size perimount aortic bioprosthesis in the elderly

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve replacement in elderly patients with a small aortic annulus may pose difficult problems in terms of prosthesis selection. We have evaluated the hemodynamic performance of the 21-mm Carpentier-Edwards Perimount bioprosthesis implanted in elderly patients. METHODS: From July 1996 to June 1998, 19 patients (17 women and 2 men, mean age 76+/-4 years and mean body surface area 1.73+/-0.13 m2), had aortic valve replacement with a 21-mm Carpentier-Edwards Perimount bioprosthesis. The hemodynamic performance of the valve was evaluated in 16 patients, who completed at least a 6-month follow-up interval, with transthoracic color-Doppler echocardiography with particular reference to peak and mean transprosthetic gradients, effective orifice area index, and regression of left ventricular mass index. RESULTS: There were no late deaths and no major postoperative complications. At a mean follow-up of 12+/-7 months, compared to discharge, all patients showed clinical improvement with a significant reduction of peak gradient (from 23+/-4 to 21+/-6 mm Hg, p = 0.04) and left ventricular mass index (from 181+/-23 to 153+/-20 g/m2; p<0.001), whereas mean gradient (from 13+/-3 to 13+/-4 mm Hg, p = not significant) and effective orifice area index (from 1.12+/-0.34 to 1.13+/-0.28 cm2/m2, p = not significant) remained substantially unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a 21-mm Carpentier-Edwards Perimount bioprosthesis is associated with low transprosthetic gradients and significant reduction in left ventricular hypertrophy after aortic valve replacement. The results of our study suggest that a 21-m Carpentier-Edwards Perimount bioprosthesis should be considered a valid option in elderly patients with aortic valve disease and a small aortic annulus.     

Early in vivo hemodynamic results after aortic valve replacement with the St Jude Medical Regent mechanical heart valve in patients with pure aortic stenosis

BACKGROUND: The St Jude Medical Regent is a new-generation mechanical heart valve that represents a design evolution of the St Jude Hemodynamic Plus Series (HP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate early "in vivo" hemodynamic performance of the Regent valve in patients with aortic stenosis. METHODS: Between March 2000 and December 2001, 32 patients (mean age 59.9 +/- 5.9,56.3% male) with pure aortic stenosis received a Regent mechanical prosthesis in the aortic position. Hemodynamic performance was assessed by Doppler echocardiography at discharge, two months, six months, and one year by calculating peak transprosthetic velocity (Vmax), mean (MG) and peak (PG) transprosthetic gradients, effective orifice area index (EOAI), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and degree of aortic regurgitation. RESULTS: A significant reduction in mean and peak transaortic gradients (p < 0.001) and a significant increase in EOAI (p < 0.001) over time followed valve replacement, and a bivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) failed to demonstrate statistical differences by valve size over time (p = ns). A significant reduction in left ventricular hypertrophy occurred over time (p < 0.001) in all valve sizes (p = ns between groups): baseline LVMI was 221 +/- 57 g/cm2; it decreased by 30 g/cm2 (p < 0.001) at discharge. LVMI decreased from 191 +/- 54 g/cm2 to 161 +/- 41 g/cm2 (p < 0.001) from discharge to two months. Further reductions were not significant. At the six-month follow-up no patient in our cohort exhibited moderate or severe aortic regurgitation at Doppler echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS: Early results with the St Jude Medical Regent valve have been satisfactory. Further assessments are necessary to confirm these results.     

Is the threshold for postoperative prosthesis-patient mismatch the same for all prostheses?

Purpose

The effective orifice area index (EOAI) is used to define the prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after aortic valve replacement (AVR). However, few studies have so far evaluated whether the cutoff value for PPM varies across prostheses. This study assessed the hemodynamics in patients given a mechanical valve and then re-evaluated the validity of the commonly accepted threshold.

Methods

The subjects included 329 patients that underwent AVR with a St. Jude Medical Regent valve. The transvalvular pressure gradient and EOAI were determined echocardiographically, and the commonly accepted threshold was analyzed in relation to survival.

Results

The mechanical valves very often yielded a postoperative transvalvular pressure gradient >10 mmHg, and thus, clinically significant residual pressure, regardless of the EOAI. The slope of the curve describing the relationship between the transvalvular pressure gradient and EOAI was gentler than that reported for bioprosthetic valves, for which the pressure gradient rises sharply at EOAI <0.85 cm²/m². The commonly defined PPM did not affect the long-term survival or regression of the left ventricular mass index.

Conclusions

The relationship between the transvalvular pressure gradient and the EOAI in patients given a mechanical prosthesis differed from the reference standard. These data suggest the need to reconsider the appropriate cutoff value for PPM in relation to different prostheses.     

Combined conventional mechanical and ultrasonic debridement for aortic valvular stenosis.

Ultrasound decalcification of aortic valve stenosis was performed in 31 patients. There were 16 men and 15 women with a mean age of 71.03 +/- 9.6 years (range, 51 to 89 years). Each had severe calcific aortic stenosis with an aortic valve gradient greater than 40 mm Hg, aortic valve area (AVA) less than 0.6 cm2, and no serious insufficiency. Feasibility of aortic valve debridement was determined under direct vision. Intraoperative epicardial or transesophageal color Doppler two-dimensional echocardiography was used before and after the aortic valve debridement to evaluate aortic cusp motion and aortic regurgitation. Direct transseptal aortic valve gradient was measured on all patients before and after aortic valve debridement, and the AVA was determined. Aortic valve debridement was performed as the primary procedure in 17 cases and combined with other cardiac procedures in 14 patients. Preoperative aortic valve gradient was reduced from 72.5 +/- 22.5 mm Hg (range, 40 to 130 mm Hg) to 15.5 +/- 11.9 mm Hg (range, 2 to 50 mm Hg), and the average AVA of 0.41 +/- 0.10 cm2 (range, 0.22 to 0.63 cm2) was increased to 1.55 +/- 0.58 cm2 (range, 0.65 to 3.50 cm2) after ultrasound decalcification. There were two early deaths in octogenerian, high-risk patients, and two late deaths (6.45% early and 6.45% late mortality), none of them related to AVD. Postoperative follow-up included clinical evaluation and color Doppler echocardiography every 6 months. The aortic valve gradient was measured using a continuous-wave Doppler probe, and the AVA was calculated by the simplified continuity equation: AVA = aAOA x vLVOT/vAV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

One year hemodynamic performance of the Perimount Magna pericardial xenograft and the Medtronic Mosaic bioprosthesis in the aortic position: a prospective randomized study

We compared the hemodynamic performance of the Edwards Perimount Magna (EPM) and the Medtronic Mosaic (MM) bioprostheses according to the patient aortic annulus diameter (AAD). Eighty-six patients undergoing aortic valve replacement were prospectively assigned to receive either an EPM-valve (n=43) or an MM-bioprosthesis (n=43). Randomization was performed after measuring the AAD and patients were grouped according to their AAD: <22 mm (n=12), 22-23 mm (n=31) and >23 mm (n=43). Echocardiographic assessment was performed one year postoperatively. The mean AAD (EPM 23.9+/-2.1 mm vs. MM 23.6+/-2.3 mm) and mean valve size implanted (EPM 22.6+/-2.1 mm vs. MM 23.3+/-2.1 mm) were comparable in both groups. The EPM-group showed significantly lower mean gradient (EPM 10.2+/-3.2 mmHg vs. MM 17.1+/-8.2 mmHg) and larger effective orifice area (EOA) (EPM 1.99+/-0.4 cm(2) vs. MM 1.69+/-0.4 cm(2), P<0.0001). The EPM-valve was superior with respect to mean pressure gradient and EOA in all AAD. This difference was statistically significant in AAD of 22-23 mm (EPM 9.6+/-3.0 mmHg vs. MM 18.2+/-8.6 mmHg; EPM 1.82+/-0.3 cm (2) vs. MM 1.51+/-0.2 cm (2)) and >23 mm (EPM 9.9+/-3.1 mmHg vs. MM 14.2+/-5.6 mmHg; EPM 2.18+/-0.4 cm(2) vs. MM 1.94+/-0.5 cm(2)). Patient-prosthesis mismatch was present in 26.8% (MM) vs. 6.9% (EPM) of the patients (P=0.01). When the same AAD is taken as a reference, the EPM-valve was hemodynamically superior to the MM-bioprosthesis. The EPM-prosthesis significantly reduced the incidence of PPM.     

Clinical and hemodynamic performance of the Ionescu-Shiley valve in the small aortic root. Results in 117 patients with 17 and 19 mm valves

The Ionescu-Shiley pericardial valve was our bioprosthetic valve of choice between 1981 and 1985 for patients in whom the aortic anulus could not accept a valve larger than 19 mm in outer diameter or in whom the avoidance of warfarin sodium (Coumadin) was important. A series of 117 consecutive patients who received 17 or 19 mm valves for isolated aortic valve replacement or aortic valve replacement combined with coronary artery bypass grafting or other valvular procedures was analyzed. Overall, 74% of the patients were female, with a mean age of 70.9 years and a body surface area of 1.67 +/- 0.19 m2; 92.3% were in New York Heart Association class III-IV, and the operation was urgent or emergent in 46%. The operative mortality rate was 7.7%, with no deaths in patients undergoing isolated elective first-time aortic valve replacement. Mean follow-up for survivors was 2.5 years (10 to 62 months). There were 20 late deaths, of which three were valve related, three were due to sudden death or arrhythmias, and two were due to persistent heart failure. The actuarial survival rate at 5 years was 68%. Clinical follow-up revealed a low incidence of valve-related complications, and 96.4% of survivors were in class I-II. Postoperative echocardiography before hospital discharge revealed a maximum instantaneous gradient of 18.4 +/- 3.0 mm Hg in five patients having a 17 mm valve and 31.3 +/- 12.7 mm Hg in 20 patients having a 19 mm valve. Doppler echocardiography was performed in 22 patients at a mean follow-up of 39.3 +/- 11.7 months. The maximum instantaneous gradient was 25 +/- 17.2 mm Hg for 17 mm and 17.41 +/- 5.4 mm Hg for 19 mm valves at late follow-up. The effective orifice area was 0.85 +/- 0.1 cm2 for 17 mm and 1.21 +/- 0.21 cm2 for 19 mm valves. This study defines the normal range of Doppler echocardiographic transprosthetic gradients for the Ionescu-Shiley valve and confirms that low operative mortality and excellent clinical improvement can result from the use of small Ionescu-Shiley valves in elderly patients despite moderate postoperative transvalvular gradients.     

Rest and exercise hemodynamics of 20 to 23 mm allograft, Medtronic Intact (porcine), and St. Jude Medical valves in the aortic position

Doppler echocardiography was used to measure gradients and valve areas at rest and after supine bicycle exercise in 35 patients with valve replacements 20 to 23 mm in size. Thirteen patients with a St. Jude Medical valve (St. Jude Medical, Inc., St. Paul, Minn.) were matched to 13 patients with an allograft valve, and seven patients with a Medtronic Intact (porcine) valve (Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.) to seven patients with an allograft valve. Patients were matched for age, sex, valve size, body surface area, and left ventricular systolic function. There was no statistically significant difference between the matched groups for body surface areas, resting cardiac output, exercise heart rate, or workload achieved. Mean pressure gradient was higher for St. Jude Medical than for allograft groups, both at rest (11.8 +/- 6.67 mm Hg for St. Jude Medical versus 6.67 +/- 2.98 mm Hg for allografts) and after exercise (16.4 +/- 8.47 mm Hg versus 9.7 +/- 3.94 mm Hg), but the differences were of borderline significance (p = 0.016 and 0.027, respectively). Valve area at rest was similar for both devices (1.4 +/- 0.45 cm2 for St. Jude Medical versus 1.8 +/- 0.56 cm2 for allograft; p greater than 0.1). There were highly significant differences between patients with Intact and those with allograft valves for resting mean pressure gradient (19.3 +/- 4.23 mm Hg for Intact versus 5.9 +/- 3.68 mm Hg for allograft; p less than 0.001) and for exercise mean pressure gradient (27.8 +/- 8.63 mm Hg versus 8.1 +/- 8.43 mm Hg; p less than 0.001). The differences between the valve areas at rest also were significant (1.1 +/- 0.12 cm2 versus 2.2 +/- 0.62 cm2; p less than 0.01). It is concluded that when a tissue valve is indicated in patients with a small aortic root, the freehand allograft aortic valve is an ideal device from the hemodynamic perspective and is superior to the Intact valve. It is also probably superior in this respect to the St. Jude Medical valve, although the analysis may be biased slightly in favor of the allograft valve.     

Stentless and stented aortic valve replacement in elderly patients: Factors affecting midterm clinical and hemodynamical outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To report on the midterm results of aortic valve replacement (AVR) with stented and stentless bioprosthesis in an elderly population by analyzing the factors affecting survival and hemodynamical performance. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 145 patients with a Toronto stentless prosthesis are compared with 110 patients with a stented Carpentier-Edwards valve. The 5- to 10-year clinical outcome, transprosthetic gradients, and early and late left ventricular mass (LVM) regression are analyzed in view of specific prosthesis- and patient-related factors. RESULTS: Actuarial survival at 5 years is 82% after stentless AVR versus 68% after stented AVR (p < 0.001) in elderly patients. However, there was no difference in survival at 8 years, being 55.9% and 59.5%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that advanced age at the time of operation, NYHA class IV, use of a stented xenograft, presence of patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) (IEOA < or = 0.85 cm2/m2), and severe preoperative left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVMI > 180 g/m2) affected survival adversely. But multivariate analysis determined only age, NYHA class IV and excessive LV hypertrophy as independent predictors of late mortality. Stented and stentless xenografts were equally effective in terms of transprosthetic gradients and LVMI regression. The use of a stentless valve significantly reduced the occurrence of PPM (18% vs 41%, p < 0.01). Early LVMI regression at 1 year was optimized by the avoidance of PPM, indicated by a higher absolute (43.7+/-28.3 g/m2 vs 58.6+/-33.8 g/m2, p = 0.003) and relative (25.0+/-12.7% vs 31.4+/-14.9%, p=0.004) mass regression. However, late LV remodeling was predominantly affected by systemic hypertension and severe preoperative LV hypertrophy, resulting in the incomplete LVMI resolution in 61.3% and 66.7% of these patients, respectively. Conclusion: In elderly patients, aortic valve replacement appears to be equally effective with a stentless or stented bioprosthesis. Midterm clinical outcome is mainly determined by patient-related factors such as age, advanced NYHA class, and severity of preoperative LV hypertrophy. Regarding post-AVR left ventricular remodeling, patient-prosthesis mismatch influences the early phase, whereas arterial hypertension affects the late regression more. However, the left ventricular remodeling is continuously compromised by the preoperative presence of excessive hypertrophy, despite the efficacy of the aortic valve replacement.     

Nineteen-millimeter prosthetic aortic valves allow normalization of left ventricular mass in elderly women

BACKGROUND: Implantation of small aortic valve prostheses has been reported to be associated with impaired left ventricular (LV) mass regression and incomplete resolution of symptoms although these data have been generated largely with male patients. Therefore we sought to determine the clinical and hemodynamic outcomes of female patients who received a 19-mm aortic valve. METHODS: Between May 1995 and December 2000, 38 female patients (average age 73 years, range 42 to 89) underwent isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR; n = 22) or AVR plus coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG; n = 16) with a 19-mm aortic prosthesis. The average New York Heart Association (NYHA) class was 3.08 and of the 26 patients who had angina, 47.2% were in CCS class III or IV. Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up was done an average of 33.4 months (8 to 72) after surgery. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 10.5%. Overall survival at an average of 33 months was 71.1%. The average NYHA class was 1.52 +/- 0.34 postoperatively (p < 0.001 versus preoperative) and 95% had no anginal symptoms or were in Canadian Cardiovascular Society class I. The LV mass index showed significant regression (114 +/- 11 g/m2 to 89 +/- 9 g/m2, p = 0.001) despite an effective orifice area index (EOAI) of 0.64 +/- 0.09 cm2/m2. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a very small EOAI, elderly female patients with 19-mm prosthetic aortic valves can experience a satisfactory improvement in symptoms and normalization of LV mass. This finding suggests that small prosthetic aortic valves continue to have an application in contemporary cardiac surgical practice. The current perception of patient-prosthesis mismatch may need to be reconsidered for select populations.     

Open mitral commissurotomy in the current era: indications,technique, and results

BACKGROUND: The present retrospective study is focused on indications, techniques, and results of open mitral commisurotomy in the current era. METHODS: Of the 1,280 patients undergoing open-heart surgical procedures for rheumatic mitral stenosis between January 1990 and July 2000, 276 (21.6%) patients underwent open mitral commissurotomy. Major indications included presence of left atrial thrombus/clot (n = 82, 29.7%), severe subvalvular disease (n = 110, 39.8%), mitral valve calcification (n = 42, 15.2%), mild mitral regurgitation (n = 28, 10.0%), associated aortic valve disease (n = 55, 19.9%), organic tricuspid valve disease (n = 20, 7.2%), and failure or restenosis after closed or balloon mitral valvuloplasty (n = 55, 19.9%). Age of patients ranged from 7 to 67 years (mean, 30.2 +/- 12 years). The majority (76%) were in New York Heart Association class III or IV, and 6.9% were in congestive heart failure. Atrial fibrillation was present in 134 (48.6%) patients. Mitral valve area ranged from 0.3 to 0.7 cm2 (mean, 0.52 +/- 0.12 cm2). Mid-diastolic gradients across the mitral valve ranged from 8 to 34 mm Hg (mean, 14.5 +/- 6.2 mm Hg), and end-diastolic gradients ranged from 8 to 42 mm Hg (mean, 15.2 +/- 5.7 mm Hg). Open mitral commissurotomy was performed using standard cardiopulmonary bypass. Associated aortic valve procedure was performed in 55 patients, and either tricuspid valvotomy or repair was performed in 28 patients. RESULTS: There were four early deaths. All these patients had associated aortic valve procedure (Ross procedure in 2 and homograft aortic valve replacement in 2). Three patients developed severe mitral regurgitation in early postoperative period (< or = 30 days) and required reoperation. Predischarge echocardiography showed mitral valve area from 1.4 to 3.5 cm2 (mean, 2.6 +/- 0.6cm2) and moderate mitral regurgitation in 4 patients. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 130 months (mean, 64.5 +/- 28.6 months). There was no late death. There were three reoperations for mitral valve failure, and an additional 2 patients developed severe mitral stenosis (mitral valve area < 1.0 cm2). In operative survivors, freedom from mitral valve failure at 10 years was 87.0% +/- 3.5%. In patients with isolated open mitral commissurotomy, the incidence of thromboembolism was 0.5%/patient-year. CONCLUSIONS: Open mitral commissurotomy provides excellent early and long-term results in a selected group of patients.