Surgical management with mitral valve replacement in young infants with congenital mitral valve diseases and complete atrioventricular septal defect

Objectives: The mechanical valve replacement may be the only option if the failing mitral valve cannot be repaired in complete AV septal defect (CAVSD), or congenital mitral valve stenosis and regurgitation in infants. In young infants the small mitral annulus - prothesis mismatch is a big problem. Aim: To assess the possibility of the left AV orifice repair and the necessity of mechanical valve replacement in CAVSD in young infants. Methods: Single center, retrospective study of 82 infants (13 pts under 3 months) who underwent complete repair of CAVSD between 2001 and 2007. Mechanical (bileaflet) valve replacement was required in 7 pts (5 weeks-7 months, 3.5-5 kg). The time interval between the two operations was 0-7 days, but the smallest baby spent 38 days in the intensive care unit waiting for increasing of his mitral annulus size from 11 to 15 mm. (Types of implanted valves: 2 Carbomedics 16 mm, 3 ATS 16 mm, 1 Sorin 17 mm, 1 Sorin 19 mm.) ATS 16 mm valves were implanted in 2 infants each with congenital mitral valve stenosis and regurgutation. Results: Early mortality (30 days) was 0, but 2 pts died in sepsis on the 46th and 71st postoperative day, respectively. In the follow-up period of 1-6 (mean 3) years 1 child (18 months later) needed reoperation (pannus removal), now all pts are doing well. Anticoagulation therapy was difficult in some cases without complication. Conclusions: The surgical repair of congenital mitral valve diseases and CAVSD can be performed successfully in very young infants. If the anatomic characteristics of the mitral valve is not suitable for repair, only mechanical mitral valve replacement can be performed successfully even in sometimes hopeless situation (one of our pts of 3.5 kg weight, is the smallest baby mentioned in the literature). Our early and mid-time results are good, but the re-replacement will be an unavoidable problem in the future.     

Chronic aortic regurgitation with left ventricular dysfonction

We studied fifty one patients (40 men and 11 women) under going valve replacement from 1990 to 2002 for aortic regurgitation and had left ventricular dysfunction. 45% patients were in class III or IV of New York Heart Association (NYHA). All patients were investigated by echocardiography (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] < 50%) - Peroperative mortality was 5.8% due to myocardial failure. 81.4% of survivors were followed duering a mean period of 24 months (rangis from 3 to 67 months) after valve replacement.     

成年人小主动脉瓣环者机械瓣膜置换术后远期疗效

目的 探讨成年人小主动脉瓣环者机械瓣膜置换术后的远期疗效,以指导临床实践.方法 2003年7月至2005年2月对36例小主动脉瓣环(直径≤19mm)的成年患者行人工机械瓣膜置换术.分别采用改良Manougnian法瓣环扩大后植入23 mm CarboMedics机械瓣膜14例(CM组);瓣环上主动脉瓣置换法直接植入19 mm CarboMedics Top Hat Supra-Annular Aortic机械瓣膜22例(CMSA组),于术前和术后6年评价两组患者的心功能,超声心动图检测左心室舒张末内径(LVDD)、室间隔厚度(IVST)、左心室后壁厚度(LVPWT)、收缩期主动脉瓣平均跨瓣压差(PGav)、左心室短轴缩短率(LVFS),计算左心室射血分数.并抽取20例健康成年人的超声心动图数据作为对照组,对三组资料进行对比分析.结果 术后6年与术前比较,除CMSA组的IVST[(10.37±2.06)mm比(11.03±2.45)mm]和LVPWT[(10.53±2.18)mm比(11.24±3.09)mm]差异无统计学意义外,CMSA组的心功能分级、LVDD、PGav、LVEF、LVFS和CM组的全部检测指标均较术前有不同程度改·善(P＜ 0.01或＜0.05).术后6年CM组的PGav较CMSA组下降更明显[(9.24±5.93)mm Hg(1mmHg=0.133 kPa)比(24.30±12.50)mmHg],差异有统计学意义(P＜ 0.05);CM组术后6年各项指标与对照组比较差异无统计学意义,而CMSA组的IVST、LVPWT、PGav与对照组比较差异仍有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 成年人小主动脉瓣环者机械瓣膜置换术后远期左心室功能多恢复良好,但行瓣环扩大术应植入较大内径的瓣膜,将有利于左心室形态的逆转.     

Protein C,S and antithrombin III levels in patients with acute mechanical valve thrombosis

BACKGROUND: Mechanical prosthetic heart valve thrombosis is a serious complication with an incidence of 1-6%. The reduction in active vitamin-K dependent protein C and S levels caused by warfarin treatment also results in a prothrombotic state. This study was conducted to investigate the connection between protein C (PC), protein S (PS), antithrombin III (ATIII) deficiency and prosthetic mechanical valve thrombosis. METHODS: Twenty-nine of the 283 patients who underwent valve replacement with St. Jude medical prosthesis had mechanical valve thrombosis (group 2). The rest were considered as group 1. Twelve of the 29 patients (41.4%) had isolated aortic valve replacement, 12 had isolated mitral valve replacement (41.4%) and 5 patients had double valve replacement (17.2%). Most of the patients had rheumatic valve disease at their 1st operation. The mean time of occurrence for mechanical valve occlusion was 4.1+/-1.0 years following surgery. RESULTS: The values of PC, PS and ATIII were obtained when the mechanical valves stuck or at routine follow-up. PC, PS and ATIII levels were significantly lower in the mechanical valve thrombosis group. PC levels were 75.4+/-37.6% and 49.9+/-32.2% in group 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.001). PC, PS and ATIII values were mostly lower in the 2nd group but this difference only became significant after at least 2 years of warfarin usage. CONCLUSIONS: Natural anticoagulant levels can be low during the use of warfarin. In which case the dose can be increased in order to hold the international normalized ratio (INR) at 3-3.5. However, more frequent follow-up is required and patients should be investigated for hypercoagulation states or deficiency in anticoagulant proteins. Patients referred to hospital with any mechanical valve thrombosis or recurrent thromboembolism should be evaluated for hypercoagulant proteins.     

Evaluation by Doppler echocardiography of hemodynamic profil of mitral bileaflet prothesis. Report on 90 cases

From 1981 to 1999 Mitral bileaflet prosthesis was implanted to 90 patients. Doppler echocardiography was performed for these patients between January and March 2002 with a mean deadline of 111 months after the intervention. 36 were women (40%) and 54 were men (60%) the mean age was 41 years (20 - 70 years) The mitral bileaflet prosthesis was a Saint Jude in 65 cases, Jyros 8 cases, Carbomédics 7 cases, Sorin Bicarbon 7 cases, Edwards Duromédics 2 cases et an ON-X in one case. The maximal transprosthetic gradient was 15.7 mm Hg +/- 5.06 (6.25 mm Hg). The mean transprosthetic gradient was 5.6 mm Hg +/- 1.07 (39.5 mmHg). The mean prosthesis functional area 2.37 cm2 +/- 0.44 (1.75 cm2 et 3.60 cm2). Maximal gradient, mean gradient and prosthesis functional area are independent from kind mitral bileaflet prosthesis and from the prosthesis size.     

Surgical treatment of mitral insufficiency using annuloplasty suture technic

In 1991 a simple and cheap technique was introduced for mitral valve repair at our department. After repairing the mitral leaflets, where indicated a posterior leaflet annuloplasty was performed with a semicircular suture and the annulus fixed for the appropriate size by tying the stitch. Between July 1991 and December 1995 86 patients underwent the above procedure (average age 56.8 +/- 10.4 years). 45 patients had primary mitral valve disease (myxomatous degeneration, rheumatoid disease, endocarditis), the other 41 had functional mitral regurgitation secondary to severe aortic valve or coronary artery disease. Echocardiography showed severe mitral regurgitation in 77% of the patients. In 45 cases the mitral valve itself was also repaired (valvotomy, quadrangular resection, wedge resection, etc.) in 29 cases the aortic valve was replaced as well, while 24 patients required additional revascularisation of the myocardium. The 30 day mortality was 3.5%. One week after surgery echocardiography was performed at all patients and showed acceptable mitral valve area (2.28 +/- 0.39 cm2). In 28 cases mild mitral regurgitation was found, the other valves were competent. All but 3 patients were followed up (96.4%). There were 6 late deaths (3 cardiac, 2 non cardiac, 1 embolic, 7.2% late mortality). During the follow up period (31.7 +/- 11.2 months) 5 patients required mitral valve replacement for severe recurrent mitral regurgitation (6.0%). In two cases new chorda rupture caused the recurrence, in an other case the suture had torn out of the annulus due to inadequate surgical technique. In the last two cases the annulus had dilated with intact Prolene annuloplasty stitch present, 86.8% of the survivors were in NYHA class I. or II. Our results suggest that mitral valve repair in selected cases can be performed without using expensive annuloplasty rings. The suture used for annuloplasty should be strong, non absorbable and non stretchable. Since 1994, when we started using GoreTex suture instead of Prolene no more patients required reoperation for annuloplasty failure.     

三阶段法处理主动脉瓣狭窄患者瓣膜置换术中顽固性心室颤动

目的 研究主动脉瓣狭窄患者瓣膜置换术中顽周性心室颤动的处理.方法 100例因主动脉瓣狭窄行主动脉瓣置换术的患者进入研究.主动脉开放后心室颤动的患者进行三个阶段的处理过程:第一阶段为常规处理:包括调整内环境,升温,给予利多卡因100mg,20～30 W/s除颤;仍然呈现心室颤动的患者进行第二阶段处理:静脉注射去甲肾上腺索提高平均动脉压,将平均动脉压维持于70～90mmHg(1mm Hg=0.133 kPa),再次除颤;仍无反应患者进行第三阶段处理:给予硫酸镁1 g和/或胺碘酮150 mg治疗后再次除颤.比较各阶段患者术前的左室质量指数以及复苏成功时的平均动脉压、血钾水平、鼻咽温、红细胞压积.结果 所有患者均复苏成功.自动复跳的患者有56例,进行第一阶段处理的患者有16例,进行第二阶段处理的患者有10例,进行第三阶段处理的患者有18例.自动复跳以及进行第一阶段处理的患者术前左室质量指数[(184±43)、(178±51)g/m~2]显著低于进行第二、三阶段处理的患者[(237±61)、(242±46)g/m~2],P<0.05;进行第二、三阶段处理的患者平均动脉压显著高于自动复跳以及进行第一阶段处理的患者.结论 三阶段法处理可以用于主动脉瓣狭窄患者瓣膜置换术中主动脉开放后的顽同性心室颤动.     

Doppler echocardiography in the examination of normally functioning artificial mitral and aortic valves

Patients with prosthetic valves were investigated by Doppler echocardiography in 902 cases between November 1987 and February 1990. The parameters of 209 of 344 mitral and 258 of 299 aortic prosthetic valves were evaluated. No significant correlation was found between the type of aortic or mitral prosthetic valves and the measured gradient. As concerns the size of the valve and the measured gradient, a close correlation for aortic valve replacement was detected. For a normally functioning mitral prosthetic valve, a maximum early diastolic velocity of less than 2 m/s (16 mm Hg gradient) and a pressure half-time of less than 130 ms (mitral valve area 1.8 cm2) were characteristic. In cases of aortic valve replacements, the maximum velocity was less than 3 m/s (36 mm Hg gradient), except for the small-diameter valves. More than 95% of the cases met these criteria. (Even if small-diameter valves were included, a maximum velocity of more than 3 m/s occurred only in 8.9%.) Doppler echocardiography is a suitable tool for detecting normal prosthetic valve function, while colour Doppler allows the optimal alignment of jet direction and Doppler beam.     

Clinical prediction rule for 30-day mortality in Björk-Shiley convexo-concave valve replacement

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop a clinical prediction rule for 30-day mortality in patients undergoing Bj?rk-Shiley convexo-concave (BScc) valve replacement, based on primary valve implantation procedures. METHODS: We studied 30-day mortality in 2,263 patients who received a BScc valve between 1979 and 1985 in The Netherlands. A logistic regression model was constructed and internally validated with bootstrapping techniques. RESULTS: Predictors for mortality were emergency operation, coronary artery disease, mitral or double-valve replacement, BScc implant being a reoperation, endocarditis, poor left ventricular function, age, concomitant tricuspid valve plasty, and aortic root replacement. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the predicted probability of death was 0.76 (95% CI 0.72-0.80). The model calibrated well, and had adequate discriminative ability in 195 BScc valve patients who underwent explantation, including 53 prophylactic explantations (AUC 0.81, 95% CI 0.73-0.89). CONCLUSION: A prediction rule derived from BScc valve implantation data performed well in patients undergoing explantation. Because the model provides accurate individualized estimates of the risk of mortality after reoperation, it may be helpful for decision making in patients with BScc valves.     

The incidence of endocarditis caused by a prosthetic valve and its risk factors

To study the incidence and risk factors of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) we followed 99.5% of 912 patients who had valve replacement from January 1, 1981 through December 31, 1985, for 1 to 6 (mean 3) years. PVE occurred in 27 patients (2.96% or 0.98% per patient-year). The incidence of PVE in the aortic position (3.9%) was significantly higher than in the mitral position (1.5%): p less than 0.25. PVE developed in 19 out of 329 patients with bioprostheses (5.8%) and in 8 out of 583 patients with mechanical valves (1.4%): p less than 0.005. Actuarially at 5 years follow-up 90.7% of the bioprosthetic group and 98.4% of the mechanical valve group was free of PVE (p less than 0.01). Bioprosthetic valve replacement in infective endocarditis further increased the risk of PVE compared to valve replacement by mechanical prostheses. In conclusion: in order of importance antecedent endocarditis, bioprostheses, male sex and aortic position are risk factors in the development of PVE. In patients requiring operation for infective endocarditis, mechanical valves are recommended. As the outcome of PVE is still very grave, authors stress the importance of prophylaxis, early diagnosis and timely operation.     

Successful delivery of a patient with two artificial valves (mitral and aortic)

The authors report the case of the successful delivery of a 35-year old woman who underwent a double Sorin tilting disc valve replacement because of severe mitral and aortic valve disease in NYHA III-IV. functional class six years ago. Beside reporting on outcome of the case and complications, they mention the possible other complications too, endangering the life prospects of the mother and child that can come about as a result of the diminished pump function of the myocardium, blood coagulation changed during pregnancy and due to the hemmorrhagic and teratogenic consequences of anticoagulant treatment.     

Experience with surgical treatment of prosthetic valve endocarditis

Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is a rare but dangerous complication that may occur after the implantation. The authors retrospectively summarize their 11-year experience in treating PVE. 2357 prosthetic valve (PV) implantations were performed over 11 years at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Semmelweis University, Budapest, PVE was found to be the indication for operation in 1.8% of the cases (43/2357). 43 surgical interventions were carried out on 38 patients (mean age: 52.5 yrs, male/female ratio: 25/13). Blood cultures were positive in 86% and negative in 14% of the cases. The infected PV-s were replaced emergently (14%), urgently (79%) or electively (7%). The explanted valves were aortic in 55% and mitral 45% of the cases, 63% were mechanical and 37% biological. PVE followed the primary PV implantation in less than a year in 39.5%. Infected environment during the primary PV implantation was found to be a predisposing factor for the late endocarditis episodes. The mean age of the infected and explanted aortic bioprosthetic valves was significantly higher than that of explanted mechanical valves (p < 0.05). No such difference could be found at the mitral valves. The explanted valves were replaced by mechanical (75.5%) or biological (22.5%) devices. Homograft was implanted once. Early postoperative mortality of the primary PV replacements was 10.5%) devices. Homograft was implanted once. Early postoperative mortality of the primary PV replacements was 10.5%. Endocarditis reoccurred in 20% of the cases. Means follow-up duration was 45.5 months. Two-, five- an 10-year survival were 75%, 64% and 51% respectively. In conclusion in the surgical treatment of PVE, bioprosthetic and mechanical valves are suitable alternatives as opposed to homografts and freestyle stentless valves.     

Practical value of echo Doppler evaluation of aortic and mitral stenosis: a comparative study with cardiac catheterization

This retrospective analysis compares data derived by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization in the evaluation of aortic and mitral valve stenosis. Sixty-seven patients, aged 69 +/- 12 years, underwent 76 catheterization procedures. In all studies the Doppler recording was technically adequate. In 64 studies of patients with aortic stenosis, correlation was good between the gradient obtained at catheterization (peak 51 +/- 28 mm Hg, mean 48 +/- 24 mm Hg) and the Doppler gradient (peak 73 +/- 29 mm Hg, mean 41 +/- 17 mm Hg) (R = 0.78 peak, 0.77 mean). In 15 studies the aortic valve area, 0.8 +/- 0.2 cm2, calculated by the simplified continuity equation, correlated well with the catheterization valve area, 0.7 +/- 0.3 cm2, calculated by the Gorlin equation (R = 0.80). In 14 studies in mitral stenosis patients, the mean gradient at catheterization was 11 +/- 5 mm Hg compared to the Doppler gradient of 8 +/- 4 mm Hg (R = 0.58). The mitral valve area was 1.1 +/- 0.3 cm2 by the Gorlin equation and 1.2 +/- 0.3 cm2 by echo Doppler, using pressure half-time. When cardiac rhythm, the presence and severity of regurgitation, and the cardiac index were analyzed, none was shown to have demonstrable influence on the accuracy of the Doppler study. Doppler echocardiography can be used reliably to assess valvular stenosis in a clinical, noninvasive laboratory where routine tests are performed and interpreted by more than one individual.     

Development and results of valve replacement surgery at the Városmajor Clinic 1976-1990 (retorospective clinical analysis)]

In Hungary valve replacement is still a major indication for heart surgery in adults. In the Cardiovascular Surgical Clinic of Semmelweis Medical University of Budapest from 1976 to 1990 2435 patients were operated for valve disease. Majority of the cases had single (aortic n = 856, mitral n = 912) or double (aortic + mitral n = 513) valve replacement. Over this 15 years period there have been many alterations in patients characteristics and surgical technique as well. In spite of the increasing mean age of patients the operative mortality has decreased (in the last 5 years period it was 2.7%, 5.5% and 7.9% in the three groups respectively). At the same time the number of patients requiring valve re-replacement or combined valve + coronary procedure has increased. The use of bioprosthetic valves has fallen below 10 percent from the 60--80 percent observed between 1976--1980. The analysis showes excellent surgical results in the field of valve replacement in Hungary.     

Surgically treated chronic aortic insufficiency: prognostic value of preoperative echocardiography

Between March 1979 and December 1998, 38 patients with isolated chronic aortic insufficiency underwent aortic valve replacement. The aim of this study is to determine whether preoperative echocardiography parameters are useful in predicting operative results in patients with aortic valve replacement for chronic aortic insufficiency. The global survival is 92% in one year and 89% in ten years. We conclude that on end systolic left ventricle diameter < 55 mm has good prognosis (p = 0.019) and there is a strong correlation between preoperative end systolic and post operative end systolic diameter an end diastolic left ventricular diameter > 70 mm and a left ventricular fractional shortening < 25% weren't predictive of a poor prognosis.     

Immediate and mid-term results of balloon valvuloplasty in congenital aortic stenosis. Ten case reports

From 1987 to 2000, 10 patients aged 0.5 to 20 years with congenital valvular aortic stenosis underwent percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty. In one patient, balloon valvuloplasty was unsuccessful, this patient had acute artery thrombosis requiring surgical intervention. Hemodynamically successful dilatation was achieved in 9 patients. The peak systolic pressure gradient was reduced from 76 +/- 35 to 32 +/- 16 mmHg (p < 0.001). Aortic valve regurgitation on angiography appeared or increased in 2 patients (up to grade 2 in the 2 patients). There was no deaths during the procedure. Follow-up was available in 7 patients One patient died during the follow up period. Restenose was found in only one patient 5 years after valvuloplasty and the efficacy balloon aortic valvuloplasty continued significantly in 5 patients (mean follow-up 35 +/- 18 months) with a residual aortic valvular gradient of 34 +/- 15 mmHg.     

275例主动脉瓣置换术应用连续缝合法的临床观察

目的探讨主动脉瓣置换中连续缝合方法的应用。方法275例病人主动脉瓣置换采用2/0Prolene线连续缝合法,用3根线265例、1根线10例。同期行二尖瓣置换232例,三尖瓣置换5例,三尖瓣成形112例,升主动脉置换9例,左房血栓清除术32例。结果全组均置入人工机械瓣膜,1例体外循环中发生抑肽酶过敏,需用阿拉明和大剂量激素;1例发生鱼精蛋白过敏再次转流,其他病例手术顺利。无1例住院死亡和严重并发症发生。结论采用连续缝合方法可简化手术操作,减少心肌缺血和转流时间,有利于心肌保护并减少术后并发症。     

经导管主动脉瓣置换术对主动脉瓣狭窄患者肺动脉压力及左心收缩功能的影响

目的研究经导管主动脉瓣置换术对主动脉瓣狭窄患者肺动脉压力及左心收缩功能的影响。方法选取2017年6月至2018年6月我院收治的76例主动脉瓣狭窄患者,均行经导管主动脉瓣置换术治疗,记录患者手术相关情况,对比分析患者手术前后肺动脉压力及左心收缩功能情况。结果手术即刻成功率为100%,所有患者均未发生严重并发症及心脏不良事件。与术前比较,术后1周患者的肺动脉压力及左心收缩功能均明显改善(P<0.05)。结论经导管主动脉瓣置换术对主动脉瓣狭窄患者肺动脉压力及左心收缩功能具有积极影响,利于其预后改善。     

Systemic thrombolysis in acute obstruction of an artificial valve

Prosthetic valve thrombosis is a characteristic, but fortunately not frequent complication of surgical valve replacement. Its occurrence may lead to haemodynamic catastrophe. Three cases involving prosthetic valve thrombosis are presented. Two patients suffered from thrombosis after tricuspid valve replacement (St. Jude Medical), while the third occurred after mitral valve replacement (Sorin). In the acute phase, systemic thrombolysis was initiated (2 MU Streptokinase during 22-28 hours). The obstruction of one of the tricuspid valves and the mitral valve was eliminated. Lysis of the other tricuspid valve was not complete, but it helped the patient to survive the acute phase until reoperation. Embolization occurred in the inferior extremity after thrombolysis of the mitral prosthetic valve, but it was cured. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography (conventional and colour-coded) played an important role in the diagnosis of the obstruction and in the follow-up of the effectivity of thrombolysis. Systemic thrombolysis may be a lifesaving procedure in acute prosthetic valve thrombosis. In spite of the potentially dangerous complications, it has to be attempted.     

术中经食管超声心动图对心脏瓣膜置换术后即刻评估的价值研究

目的:研究术中经食管超声心动图对心脏瓣膜置换术(HVR)后即刻评估的价值。方法:选取168例行心脏瓣膜置换术患者,均在术中行经食管超声心电图检查,记录主动脉瓣环内径及钙化斑块情况,计算主动脉瓣内直径;观察并记录心脏收缩功能情况,血管内血栓、钙化及钙化斑块大小情况;术后观察人工瓣膜是否成功,重点分析心脏收缩、血容量及瓣膜闭合等情况。比较所有患者手术前后的瓣膜及心功能情况,分析术中经食管超声心动图对HVR术后即刻评估的价值。结果:经食管超声心动图三维检查检测的主动脉瓣环内径及钙化检出情况与手术病理结果相比,差异无统计学意义。在术中行经食管超声心动图发现,2例患者存在生物瓣瓣叶脱垂及缝线勒住生物瓣瓣脚情况,为在机体应力状态下人工瓣膜对合不良影响瓣叶功能,遂均更换相同型号瓣膜,更换后瓣环内反流消失。168例患者术后主动脉平均跨膜压差明显低于术前水平,左室射血分数及有效瓣口面积指数水平明显高于术前,差异有统计学意义(t=20.352,t=32.784,t=22.583;P<0.001)。所有患者均完成HVR,其中6例患者(生物瓣瓣叶脱垂1例、缝线勒住生物瓣瓣脚1例、拆除后离体检测碟片运动无异常的主动脉瓣机械瓣关闭不全1例、机械瓣碟片启闭不灵活且经调整碟片方向仍无改善的二尖瓣3例)更换新的人工瓣膜。所有患者术后恢复顺利,未发生院内死亡。结论:经食管超声心动图应用于HVR术中的临床价值较高,可及时确定人工瓣膜功能异常,协助判断内源性因素并给予及时补救,有助于为提高手术有效保障,对临床治疗效果进行真实性评估,有效提高HVR成功率。