Mitral Valve Prosthetic Implantation with Preservation of Native Mitral Valve Apparatus

To avoid postoperative morbidity and mortality often associated with left ventricular dysfunction after mitral valve replacement (MVR) for chronic mitral insufficiency, reconstruction or preservation of the native mitral valve apparatus may be attempted during mitral prosthetic implantation (MPI). The effects of mitral surgery on heart function, studied with echocardiography and radio-nuclide angiography, were compared in seven patients with MPI (study group) and five with MVR (control group) who underwent complete preoperative, early postoperative and 3–6 months follow-up examinations. Preoperatively there was significant intergroup difference only in right ventricular ejection fraction measured at radionuclide angiography, which was lower in the MPI group (p < 0.05). At follow-up the MPI group had improved as regards this fraction (p < 0.005) and stroke volume index (p < 0.05). The number of patients with improved NYHA class at follow-up was significantly greater in the MPI group. Our preliminary experience with preservation of the native mitral valve apparatus thus suggests that the method offers haemodynamic advantages for postoperative right ventricular function.     

Mitral valve prolapse. Comparison between valvular repair and replacement in severe mitral regurgitation

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyse long term results of mitral valve repair of degenerative mitral regurgitation compared to valve replacement. METHODS: A hundred-twenty-five consecutive patients with severe mitral valve insufficiency who underwent cardiac surgery from January 1987 to December 1995 were included in the study. Mean age was 55+/-16 years (77 males, 48 females). Mitral repair was performed in 62 patients and mitral valve was replaced in 63 patients. Mean follow-up was 5 years. The repair procedures were based on quadrangular resection of the posterior leaflet, chordal replacement and transposition. Annuloplasty was performed in 100% of cases. The technique of valve replacement was conventional with complete excision of the valve in the majority of cases. RESULTS: Operative mortality following valve repair was 1.6%, no death occurred in the prosthesic group. In the repair group overall survival and re-operation rate were respectively 95.2% and 6.5%, while in the replacement group were 93.7% and 7.9%. No endocarditis and thromboembolic accidents were observed following valvuloplasty, while in the prostheses 6.3% of patients had endocarditis and 1.6% had a thromboembolic event. Mild or moderate left ventricular dysfunction was present in 5 patients after valvuloplasty and in 9 patients with prostheses. CONCLUSIONS: Considering these results we conclude that, in patients with severe degenerative mitral insufficiency, mitral valve repair is warranted whenever it is possible. The advantages given by maintaining the native valve suggest that surgery should be considered in asymptomatic patients before the occurrence of the left ventricular dysfunction.     

保留后瓣及瓣下结构的二尖瓣置换术临床分析

目的总结保留二尖瓣后瓣及瓣下结构二尖瓣置换术(MVR)的经验,评价其临床效果。方法回顾性分析首都医科大学北京安贞医院2006年1月至2011年3月行MVR患者1 035例的临床资料,其中男562例,女473例;年龄37～78(53.84±13.13)岁。风湿性心脏瓣膜病712例,退行性瓣膜病323例;二尖瓣狭窄为主389例,二尖瓣关闭不全为主646例;均排除冠状动脉疾病。不保留后瓣及瓣下结构的MVR(不保留组)457例,保留后瓣及瓣下结构的MVR(保留组)578例,两组患者术前情况差异无统计学意义。分析比较两组患者手术后并发症、死亡率,以及左心室大小与功能。结果不保留组与保留组患者的死亡率(2.63%vs.1.21%,P=0.091)及并发症发生率(8.53%vs.7.44%,P=0.519)差异无统计学意义,但不保留组左心室破裂发生率高于保留组(1.09%vs.0.00%,P=0.012);术后6个月心脏超声心动图提示左心室舒张期末内径(LVEDD)较术前缩小,但两组差异无统计学意义;两组患者左心室射血分数(LVEF)均较术前提高,保留组中二尖瓣关闭不全为主患者的LVEF优于不保留组(56.00%±3.47%vs.53.00%±3.13%,P=0.000),两组二尖瓣狭窄为主的患者中LVEF差异无统计学意义(57.00%±5.58%vs.56.00%±4.79%,P=0.066)。结论保留二尖瓣后瓣及瓣下结构的MVR安全有效,可以减少术后左心室破裂的发生并改善术后心功能。     

The Evolution of Reparative Techniques for the Mitral Valve

Forty-eight adult patients underwent mitral valve repair for nonischemic valvular incompetence between 1963 and 1981. Early in our experience, 21 individuals received wedge leaflet resection or leaflet plication with posteromedial commissural annuloplasty. More recently, midleaflet annuloplasty has been employed in 13 patients and is now our preferred technique. Operative mortality was 6.3%, and all deaths occurred prior to 1973. Eventually valve replacement was necessary in 10 patients; all replacements were done prior to 1977. Technical errors and progression of rheumatic disease each accounted for half of these replacements. Five-year survival by the life table method was 74 ± 9% for the entire group. Survival at 5 years for patients with prolapsing leaflets was significantly better (87 ± 7%) than for those with normal leaflet motion (46 ± 14%). A residual postoperative murmur of mitral insufficiency correlated with the likelihood of subsequent valve replacement. Important technical aspects of valve repair are described, and criteria for optimal patient selection are discussed. The evolution of reparative methods has led to a better understanding and broader application of mitral valve reconstruction.     

Does Preservation of the Posterior Chordae Tendineae Enhance Survival during Mitral Valve Replacement?

During a 30-month period, 51 patients underwent mitral valve replacement. There were 3 hospital deaths (5.9%), 2 of which were due to ventricular rupture. The 3 patients who died were among 13 patients in whom mitral valve replacement was combined with tricuspid or aortic valve operation or both. Postmortem findings in the 2 patients who died of ventricular rupture showed that the ventricular tears were located between the atrioventricular groove and the unresected papillary muscle stumps, in an area of ventricle formerly tethered by the posterior chordae tendineae. In the last 14 patients in the series, the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve and its chordae tendineae were left intact, and there was no mortality or prosthetic valve dysfunction. In patients with myxomatous or ischemic disease, the posterior leaflet was left completely intact. For patients with fibrocalcific rheumatic disease, we have developed a technique of partial excision and debridement of the posterior leaflet, preserving the intermediate and basal chordae tendineae attachments. With the techniques described, preservation of all or part of the posterior leaflet and its chordae tendineae does not appear to interfere with prosthetic valve function and, by reducing the risk of ventricular rupture, should enhance survival after mitral valve replacement.     

Mitral valve replacement in the first year of life

From 1973 through 1987 25 patients underwent mitral valve replacement in the first year of life for mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation. The patients with mitral stenosis included two with mitral arcade, two with supravalvular mitral stenosis with hypoplastic mitral valve, and one with parachute mitral valve. Included in the group of patients with mitral regurgitation were 12 with atrioventricular canal defect, six with chordal and leaflet defects, one with Marfan's syndrome, and one with bacterial endocarditis. Prostheses included 12 Bj?rk-Shiley (17 mm), seven St. Jude Medical (19 mm in four, 21 mm in three), five stent-mounted dura mater valves (12 mm to 16 mm), and one porcine xenograft (19 mm). In four patients the valves were placed in the left atrium in a supraannular location. There were nine operative (atrioventricular canal defect seven, mitral regurgitation two) and five late (atrioventricular canal defect four, mitral stenosis one) deaths, giving actuarial 1- and 5-year survival rates of 52% and 43%, respectively. All 6 patients with tissue valves died; the four with supraannular mitral valve replacement survived. Since 1983 operative mortality has been reduced to 0% (70% confidence limits 0% to 24%). Nine patients required a second mitral valve replacement for prosthetic stenosis 5 to 69 (mean 30) months after the original mitral valve replacement (one operative death). Because of improvements in repair of atrioventricular canal defect in infancy, the need for mitral valve replacement at atrioventricular canal defect repair has decreased. Although valvuloplasty has been advocated for repair of congenital mitral valve disease and is applicable in some infants with mitral regurgitation, mitral valve replacement is frequently unavoidable for congenital mitral disease and can now be accomplished at a low operative risk, even when the prosthesis has to be positioned supraannularly.     

Preservation of the posterior leaflet during mechanical valve replacement for ischemic mitral regurgitation and complete myocardial revascularization

Between 1980 and 1987, 40 patients with ischemic mitral insufficiency underwent mitral valve replacement (with a mechanical prosthesis) and coronary bypass grafting, 3.5 grafts per patient. The posterior mitral leaflet was preserved in 17 and resected in 23. Five arrived at operation in cardiogenic shock, 15 after recurrent episodes of pulmonary edema, and 20 electively, but in congestive heart failure. Twenty-five had unstable angina, and the remaining had chronic angina. Perioperative and early deaths occurred only in patients with an ejection fraction less than 35%. None of the 21 patients with an ejection fraction greater than 35% died, whereas eight of 19 with an ejection fraction less than 35% died, whereas eight of 19 with an ejection fraction less than 35% died (p less than 0.001). When causes of death in patients with an ejection fraction less than 35% were studied, operative and early mortality was zero of seven with preservation of the posterior mitral leaflet versus eight of 11 with excision of the leaflet (p = 0.035). We concluded that the high mortality in mitral valve replacement for ischemic mitral insufficiency is linked to an ejection fraction less than or equal to 35% and, in this particular group of patients, is due to the surgical destruction of the left ventricular chordae tendineae supportive apparatus. Preservation of this apparatus by preservation of the posterior mitral leaflet drastically reduces operative and early mortality. Preoperative cardiogenic shock, left ventricular aneurysmectomy, and multiple grafting (up to five grafts per patient) did not increase the risk of operation. Extensive revascularization (3.5 grafts per patient) provides improved long-term results.     

Mitral valve replacement with preservation of ventricular annular continuity

We evaluated clinical effects of mitral valve replacement with preservation of ventricular annular continuity in 53 patients with isolated mitral stenosis and regurgitation. The patients were divided into 3 groups; Group 1: the patients had conventional mitral valve replacement, Group 2: with preservation of posterior leaflet ventricular annular continuity (VAC) (33 patients), and Group 3: preservation of both anterior and posterior leaflet (8 patients). Operative technique was described for pure mitral regurgitation and mitral stenosis. There was one patient died within 30 days operatively in each group. In Group 1 the patient died for poor LV function, in Group 2, the patient died for postoperative GVHD, and in Group 3, the death caused by postoperative LV rupture. We have observed no late death. Minor thromboembolization in early stage were seen in 2 cases of Group 2 and there were no apparent correlation with operative technique. Postoperative cardiac catheterization data (Pulmonary Artery wedge pressure, C.O, LVEF, LVEDV1) showed no significant difference among these 3 groups. Segmental wall contraction in left ventriculography demonstrated good contraction in Group 2 and Group 3 compared with that of Group 1. Left ventricular contraction index with heart rate corrected mean Vcf (Vcfc) and left ventricular end-systolic wall stress (sigma es) relation using two dimensional cardiac echogram demonstrated almost normal range in the groups 2 and 3. These findings suggests that mitral valve replacement with preservation of ventricular annular continuity has beneficial effects on postoperative left ventricular function and requires to be further investigated.     

改良保留前叶技术在二尖瓣置换术中的应用

目的 总结改良保留前叶技术在二尖瓣置换术中的临床应用和体会,提高临床治疗效果,降低术后死亡率和并发症发生率。 方法 纳入2005年5月至2012年12月北京安贞医院采用改良保留二尖瓣前叶的瓣膜置换术128例患者,作为改良组,同期行主动脉瓣置换术14例;其中男49例、女79例,年龄（45.0±12.3）岁。同期纳入行常规二尖瓣置换术的患者128例作为对照组,其中男55例、女73例,年龄（48.0±8.4）岁。两组患者术前情况差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。 结果 改良组无围手术期死亡,6例开胸止血,4例出现低心排血量,5例并发肺部感染,1例行气管切开,3例出现肾功能衰竭。对照组早期死亡5例,3例死于左心室后壁破裂,2 例死于严重低心排血量。5例开胸止血,12例出现低心排血量,4例并发肺部感染,6例出现肾功能衰竭。术后6个月心脏超声心动图随访结果显示改良组术后左心室射血分数、左心室舒张期末内径、收缩期末内径均较对照组有改善,其中两组左心室射血分数和收缩期末内径差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,两组左心室舒张期末内径差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。改良组术前、术后射血分数、舒张期末内径、收缩期末内径差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,对照组术前、术后舒张期末内径差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,射血分数和收缩期末内径差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。 结论 改良保留前叶的二尖瓣置换术近期效果良好,方法简便易行,适合各种类型的二尖瓣病变,尤其是退行性病变和感染性心内膜炎。     

Surgical results for mitral regurgitation from coronary artery disease

Results of coronary artery bypass grafting with and without mitral valve replacement were analyzed retrospectively in 101 patients with preoperative ischemic mitral regurgitation to determine the effects of severity and surgical treatment of mitral regurgitation on survival. Between 1980 and 1984, a total of 1,475 patients (mean age 59, 77% male) underwent coronary bypass. These patients were divided into three groups: (1) patients without ischemic mitral regurgitation who underwent isolated coronary bypass (1,374; 93%), (2) patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation who underwent isolated coronary bypass without valve replacement (85; 6%), and (3) patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation who underwent combined mitral valve replacement and coronary bypass (16; 1%). Preoperatively, patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation compared to those without regurgitation were significantly older (+6 years, p less than 0.001), had more severe coronary artery disease (p less than 0.001), a higher incidence of congestive heart failure (24% versus 5%, p less than 0.001) and recent myocardial infarction (16% versus 8%, p less than 0.01), and a lower mean ejection fraction (45% versus 61%, p less than 0.001). Operative mortality was significantly increased in patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation who underwent coronary bypass alone (p less than 0.01) and in those who underwent coronary bypass and mitral valve replacement (p less than 0.01)--11% and 19%, respectively--than in the coronary bypass patients without ischemic mitral regurgitation (3.7%). The severity of mitral regurgitation (0 to 4+) proved to be the most significant predictor of operative mortality. The actuarial survival rate at 5 years for the coronary bypass patients without ischemic mitral regurgitation was 85% compared to 91% (p less than 0.05) for the coronary bypass patients without ischemic mitral regurgitation. These results indicate that patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation have a higher prevalence of cardiac risk factors and are at an increased risk of operative mortality. Although the severity of the ischemic mitral regurgitation was strongly predictive of early survival, it proved to have an unexpectedly modest effect on long-term survival after surgical treatment.     

Mitral insufficiency due to ruptured chordae tendineae--clinical features, early and late results of valve replacement and repair

To evaluate the early and late results of mitral valve replacement and reconstruction for mitral insufficiency due to ruptured chordae tendineae respectively, 74 consecutive cases were analyzed. Fifty-five (74.3%) of the patients were men, and the mean age was 48 +/- 12 years old (range 16 to 76). The causes of the mitral disease were idiopathic in 50 (67.6%), rheumatic in 7 (9.4%) and infective endocarditis in 11 (14.9%) patients. In idiopathic 50 cases, 24 had mitral valve prolapse and 16 had both mitral valve prolapse and hypertension. Forty-one (55.4%) of the patients were in NYHA functional class III or IV preoperatively. Thirty (40.5%) cases underwent surgery within one year after their initial symptoms of heart failure onsets including six emergency operation cases due to uncontrollable acute lung edema. Chordae to anterior mitral leaflet were ruptured in 31 (a5, m16, p10)[41%] patients, to the posterior mitral leaflet in 45 (a4, m23, p18)[59%], and to both leaflets in one patient. Mitral valve replacement was performed in 68 patients (91.9%) and 6 patients (8.1%) underwent mitral valve repairs. Twenty cases underwent associated procedures that included tricuspid valve annuloplasty in 8, aortic valve replacement in 5 and myocardial revascularization in 4 cases. There were two operative deaths (2.4%); both occurred after replacement, left ventricular rupture in one and DIC in one. Mean follow-up period was 4.5 years (range 1 to 17) in 67 cases. There were four late deaths; all occurred after replacement. However five patients sustained mild mitral insufficiency after mitral valve repair including one that became worse of regurgitation three years after isolated Kay's annuloplasty, there were no cases that had needed reoperation and no late death after reconstruction. Left ventricular function and pulmonary arterial pressure were almost normalized in more than 90% cases postoperatively. Our data indicated that mitral valve reconstruction (McGoon's plus Kay's method as standardized maneuver) was the procedure of choice for selected patients with mitral insufficiency owing to ruptured chordae tendineae to the posterior mitral leaflet, including more limited patients with ruptured chordae to the anterior mitral leaflet.     

风心病二尖瓣狭窄合并小左心室的瓣膜替换术

１９８７～１９９３年３８９例二尖瓣狭窄（ＭＳ）行二尖瓣替换术（ＭＶＲ）的病人中有小左室者１２６例，其中左室萎缩２８例。心功能ＩＩＩ级７６例、ＩＶ级３５例，重度肺动脉高压６４例。手术死亡率９５％，明显高于同期非小左室病人。主要死亡原因为右心衰、急性左心衰及瓣膜功能障碍。晚期死亡率为１６％／病人－年，１、５年生存率为９６５％和８８４％。术后心脏超声显示小左室及左室萎缩者均出现左室构形和功能的重建，后者重建过程较长。结果表明，小左室主要影响术后早期效果，重度ＭＳ合并小左室，尤其是伴有严重肺动脉高压及左室萎缩，是手术的高危指标。     

Mitral valve replacements in redo patients with previous mitral valve procedures: mid-term results and risk factors for survival

Abstract   Objective: We aimed to investigate the risk factors for hospital mortality, short (five years) and mid-term (10 years) survival in patients who underwent mitral valve replacements in redo patients with previous mitral valve procedures. Patients and Methods: Between September 1989 and December 2003, 62 redo patients have undergone mitral valve replacements due to subsequent mitral valve problems. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were analyzed retrospectively and evaluated for risk factors affecting hospital mortality, mid- and long-term survival. Results: The hospital mortality was 6.4%. The one-, five-, and 10-year actuarial survival rates were 94%± 2%, 89%± 6%, and 81 ± 9%. New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class IV, low left ventricular ejection fraction (<35%), increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) > 50 mm, female gender, pulmonary edema, and urgent operations were found to be risk factors in short-term survival. NYHA functional class IV, low left ventricular ejection fraction, increased LVEDD, and increased left atrial diameter (LA > 60 mm) were risk factors in mid-term survival. Conclusion: Redo mitral valve surgery with mechanical prosthesis offers encouraging short- and mid-term survival. NYHA functional class IV, low left ventricular ejection fraction, and increased left ventricular diameters were especially associated with increased short- and mid-term mortality. Earlier surgical management before the development of severe heart failure and myocardial dysfunction would improve the results of redo mitral valve surgery.     

全保留二尖瓣及瓣下结构在重症二尖瓣关闭不全患者二尖瓣置换术中的应用

目的探讨全保留二尖瓣及瓣下结构在重症二尖瓣关闭不全患者二尖瓣置换术中的应用经验,评价其临床效果。方法回顾性分析2011年6月至2013年1月在广东省人民医院心血管外科因重症二尖瓣关闭不全行全保留二尖瓣及瓣下结构二尖瓣置换术17例患者的临床资料,其中男14例,女3例;年龄38~82（63.41±11.82）岁;合并心房颤动13例;术前纽约心脏学会（NYHA）心功能分级Ⅲ级5例,Ⅳ级12例;缺血性二尖瓣关闭不全7例,退行性二尖瓣关闭不全9例,风湿性二尖瓣关闭不全1例。结果所有患者均行全保留二尖瓣及瓣下结构的二尖瓣置换术,同期行冠状动脉旁路移植术4例;其中生物瓣11例,机械瓣6例。全组患者住院期间无死亡,均顺利出院,住院期间未并发低心排血量综合征,无左心室破裂。17例患者均随访,随访时间2~25（16.44±5.02）个月。随访期间1例患者因术后2个月发生二尖瓣重度瓣周漏死亡。其余患者人工二尖瓣功能良好,无抗凝和瓣膜引起的并发症,心功能较术前明显改善,心功能NYHA分级恢复至Ⅰ级11例,Ⅱ级4例,Ⅲ级1例。术后早期及随访期间心胸比率、左心房内径、左心室舒张期末内径及收缩期末内径与术前相比均明显减小。而术后早期左心室射血分数（LVEF）与术前相比有所降低[（50.94%±8.78%）vs.（55.31%±10.44%）,P=0.04],术前LVEF与随访期间的差异无统计学意义[（55.31%±10.44%）vs.（56.13%±9.67%）,P=0.73],随访期间LVEF与术后早期相比显著增加[（56.13%±9.67%）vs.（50.94%±8.78%）,P=0.02]。术后早期与随访期间人工二尖瓣压力减半时间（PHT）差异无统计学意义[（95.06±19.00）ms vs.（94.56±19.19）ms,P=0.91]。结论全保留二尖瓣及瓣下结构在重症二尖瓣关闭不全患者二尖瓣置换术中应用安全有效,可以改善左心室重构及术后心功能。     

Clinical, hemodynamic, and angiographic predictors of operative mortality in patients undergoing single valve replacement. Veterans Administration Cooperative Study on Valvular Heart Disease

Preoperative characteristics of 964 patients in the Veterans Administration Cooperative Study on Valvular Heart Disease undergoing single valve replacement were examined to determine predictors of operative mortality. The operative mortality rate was 8.3% in 661 patients having isolated aortic valve disease and 7.5% in 239 patients having isolated mitral valve disease, but 12.5% in 64 patients with multivalve disease undergoing single valve replacement. For the aortic valve replacement subgroup, three-vessel coronary artery disease, left ventricular systolic pressure, prior cardiac operation, body surface area, and cardiac index were related to operative mortality. In the mitral valve replacement group, there was a strong association of operative mortality with advanced age, exertional dizziness, reduced cardiac index, left ventricular contraction grade, ST segment depression on the resting electrocardiogram, and pleural effusion. The risk of operative death for an individual patient undergoing aortic or mitral valve replacement may be estimated with the use of independent risk factors.     

Ischemic mitral valve reconstruction and replacement: comparison of long-term survival and complications.

OBJECTIVE: This study reviews the 223 consecutive mitral valve operations for ischemic mitral insufficiency performed at New York University Medical Center between January 1976 and January 1996. The results for mitral valve reconstruction are compared with those for prosthetic mitral valve replacement. METHODS: From January 1976 to January 1996, 223 patients with ischemic mitral insufficiency underwent mitral valve reconstruction (n = 152) or prosthetic mitral valve replacement (n = 71). Coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 89% of cases of mitral reconstruction and 80% of cases of prosthetic replacement. In the group undergoing reconstruction, 77% had valvuloplasty with a ring annuloplasty and 23% had valvuloplasty with suture annuloplasty. In the group undergoing prosthetic replacement, 82% of patients received bioprostheses and 18% received mechanical prostheses. RESULTS: Follow-up was 93% complete (median 14.6 mo, range 0-219 mo). Thirty-day mortality was 10% for mitral reconstruction and 20% for prosthetic replacement. The short-term mortality was higher among patients in New York Heart Association functional class IV than among those in classes I to III (odds ratio 5.75, confidence interval 1.25-26.5) and was reduced among patients with angina relative to those without angina (odds ratio 0.26, confidence interval 0.05-1.2). The 30-day death or complication rate was similarly elevated among patients in functional class IV (odds ratio 5.53; confidence interval 1.23-25.04). Patients with mitral valve reconstruction had lower short-term complication or death rates than did patients with prosthetic valve replacement (odds ratio 0.43, confidence interval 0.20-0.90). Eighty-two percent of patients with mitral valve reconstruction had no insufficiency or only trace insufficiency during the long-term follow-up period. Five-year complication-free survivals were 64% (confidence interval 54%-74%) for patients undergoing mitral valve reconstruction and 47% (confidence interval 33%-60%) for patients undergoing prosthetic valve replacement. Results of a series of statistical analyses suggest that outcome was linked primarily to preoperative New York Heart Association functional class. CONCLUSIONS: Initial mortalities were similar among patients undergoing prosthetic replacement and valve reconstruction. Poor outcome was primarily related to preexisting comorbidities. Patients undergoing valve reconstruction had fewer valve-related complications. Valve reconstruction resulted in excellent durability and freedom from complications. These findings suggest that mitral valve reconstruction should be considered for appropriate patients with ischemic mitral insufficiency.     

Beyond the 10-Year Horizon: Mitral Valve Repair Solely With Chordal Replacement and Annuloplasty

BackgroundThe long-term outcomes of mitral valve repair by nonresection techniques, such as annuloplasty and chordal replacement, for degenerative mitral valve regurgitation were investigated.MethodsAll consecutive patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation who received solely chordal replacement and annuloplasty for mitral valve repair between 2003 and 2010 at the German Heart Center Munich were reviewed. The endpoints of this retrospective study were survival, cumulative incidence of reoperation on the mitral valve, and cumulative incidence of significant recurrent mitral regurgitation.ResultsA total of 346 patients were evaluated. The median follow-up period was 10.86 (range, 0.01-15.86) years. The 30-day mortality rate was 0.58% (n = 2 of 346), whereas the 5-year survival was 92.97% ± 1.41%. At 5 years, cumulative incidence of recurrent mitral regurgitation was 6.87% ± 1.57% and cumulative incidence of reoperation on the mitral valve was 3.69% ± 1.05%. Survival at 10 years was 83.35% ± 2.15%. At 10 years, cumulative incidence of recurrent mitral regurgitation was 13.31% ± 2.22% and cumulative incidence of reoperation was 7.84% ± 1.55%. Cox regression analysis identified age, diabetes mellitus, and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction <55% as independent risk factors for death. Left ventricular ejection fraction <55% was revealed as independent risk factor for significant recurrent mitral regurgitation.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated excellent long-term outcomes with low incidence of reoperation after mitral valve repair using chordal replacement in a highly selected patient cohort. Our findings emphasized the importance of early intervention in severe degenerative mitral regurgitation, especially in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.     

Mitral Valve Repair in Severe Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Patients with ischemic mitral valve insufficiency (MR) and poor left ventricular (LV) function present a high operative risk. Whether to repair or replace these valves is controversial, while some suggest that heart transplant offers a better solution. We investigated our early and late results in this difficult subset of patients. METHODS: Between 1993-1999,115 patients underwent mitral valve repair (MVR) in our department. Twenty-one patients had severe LV dysfunction with ejection fraction < 25%. Mean age was 60 years (range 45-81). Nineteen (90%) were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV, 7 (33%) underwent emergency surgery, 3 (14%) were in cardiogenic shock, and 2 (10%) were taken to the operating room under cardiopulmonary resuscitation. All underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in addition to MVR, with a mean number of grafts 2.9 per patient. RESULTS: There were no early operative deaths. The average stay in intensive care was 5.9 days (range 1-52). There were three late deaths (14%). Follow-up evaluation up to 3 years showed marked improvement in clinical status. Twelve (67%) patients are in NYHA Class I-II, and three (17%) in Class III. Echocardiography revealed good function of the mitral valve in all, although overall LV function did not change significantly. CONCLUSION: (1) MVR in patients with severe ischemic cardiomyopathy can be accomplished with excellent results. (2) There is marked symptomatic improvement in these patients, even though LV function did not seem to be improved. (3) Long-term survival still needs to be defined.     

Mitral valve replacement in ischemic mitral regurgitation. Preservation of both anterior and posterior mitral leaflets

BACKGROUND: The surgical risks associated with ischemic mitral regurgitation are thought to be greater than those for other forms of mitral regurgitation. We have performed mitral valve replacement using the St. Jude Medical bileaflet prostheses with preservation of both leaflets, along with all of the chordae tendineae and papillary muscles. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate mitral valve replacement with preservation of both mitral valves with respect to long-term clinical results and left ventricular performance. METHODS: Between January 1, 1988 and February 29, 2000, 15 patients were operated on for ischemic mitral regurgitation. There were 7 males and 8 females, and the mean age was 69.7+/-8.1 years. The preoperative variables showed clinical deterioration of the state, such as emergency operation in 40% of the patients, more than NYHA functional III class in 93% of patients, cardiogenic shock in 47% of the patients, a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 36.8%, and a mean left ventricular end-systolic volume index of 116.7 ml/m2. RESULTS: There were 5 (33.3%) hospital deaths during the follow-up period including 1 early death and 1 (10%) late death during the follow-up period. Thus, the actuarial survival rate after 5 years for the whole was 60%. However, the left ventricular dimensions and left ventricular fractional shortening, even if in patients with profound depressed left ventricular function preoperatively, showed maintenance of the cardiac function. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that mitral valve replacement using the St. Jude Medical prostheses with preservation of both leaflets and all chordae tendineae and papillary muscles might be a procedure of choice for ischemic mitral regurgitation.     

Left Ventricle and Left Atrium Remodeling after Mitral Valve Replacement in Case of Mixed Mitral Valve Disease of Rheumatic Origin

Abstract Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the recovery of the left ventricle (LV) function, and to analyze postoperative size reduction of LV and left atrium (LA), after mitral valve replacement (MVR) in patients with chronic rheumatic mitral disease. Methods: Thirty consecutive elective patients with MVR for mixed mitral disease of rheumatic origin formed the study group. Of these, 21 (70%) were women and the mean age was 37 years. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed prior to surgery, at three‐month follow‐up, and at three‐year follow‐up except for the latest nine patients. Results: The mean duration of follow‐up was 3.6 ± 1.8 years. MVR surgery improved the functional class (mean New York Heart Association [NYHA] class) at three‐year follow‐up (p = 0.008). LV end‐diastolic diameter and LA sizes decreased after MVR. Total chordal preservation causes better outcome, regarding to LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and NYHA functional class of patients. Preoperative high NYHA class, low LVEF, and high LV end‐systolic diameter (LVESd) resulted with postoperative LV dysfunction (p were < 0.001, < 0.001, and 0.006, respectively). Conclusion: In patients with mixed mitral valve disease, MVR enhanced LV and LA remodeling resulting in better NYHA function. Preoperative NYHA, LVEF, and LVESd were significant predictors of postoperative LV function . (J Card Surg 2010;25:367‐372)