Relevant factors in mitral valve reconstructive surgery. Report of 150 cases

150 patients had mitral valve repair for mitral valve incompetence. There were 57 males and 93 females with a mean age of 22 years, 39% were less than 15 years of age. 60% of the patients were in Class II NYHA and 40% in Class III and IV. According to Carpentier's classification, isolated type I was present in 18 patients (12%), type II in 98 patients (64%) and type III in 34 cases (24%). Mitral repair included correction of valve prolapse, valvular enlargement with pericardial patch and annuloplasty with semi-rigid ring in 128 cases and PTFE patch along the posterior leaflet in 12 cases. The perioperative mortality rate was 2.6% (4 patients). All patients had early post-operative echocardiography. According to this, mitral regurgitation was absent or tiny in 135 patients (92%), grade II in 10 cases and grade III in 2 cases. It was moderate or important in twelve patients (8%). In the late post-operative period, three patients were lost to follow-up. All the others patients were reoperated upon for mitral dysfunction in a mean time of 37 months. The reason for reoperation was in the majority of the cases the recurrence of mitral regurgitation related to increase of valvular and sub valvular disease. The late mortality rate is 7% (10 patients). Out of 126 reviewed survivors on the long run, 71 patients (56%) are asymptomatic in class I, 53 patients (42%) in class II and 2 patients in class III NYHA. Mitral valvuloplasty is the preferred procedure in mitral insufficiency surgical management. It is associated to a low early mortality and morbidity rate. Despite the need for reoperation in about 10% of the cases in the long follow-up, mitral repair offers a good quality of life without anticoagulant treatment.     

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.     

Mitral valve surgery in the elderly

We report a retrospective study about 34 patients operated for on mitral valve between 1981 and 2000. All patients were aged more than 65 years. 82% of them were in the class III or IV of the NYHA. 31 of patients had a valvular mitral replacement (by a mechanical protheses in 24 cases and a biological protheses in 7 cases) and 3 patients had a mitral valve reconstruction. An aortic valve replacement was associated in 7 cases, and a myocardial revascularisation in 4 cases. The early mortality rate was 17,6% and the late mortality was 12%. The high mortality is meanly related to the associate lesions (coronarography) and the prognosis is a better with the improvement of surgical technics and perioperative management.     

Aortic valve replacement in the elderly

We report a retrospective study about 60 patients operated on for aortic valve replacement between 1981 and 2000. All patients were aged more than 65 years. 56.6% of patients were in the class III or IV of the NYHA. The type of the valvular substitute was a mechanical prostheses in 58.3% of cases and a biological prostheses in 41.7%. A mitral geste was associated in 6 cases and a myocardial revascularisatin in 5 cases. The early mortality rate was 15% and the late mortality was 23%. The high mortality is meanly related to the associate lesions (coronaropathy) and the prognosis is a better with the improvement of surgical technics and perioperative management.     

Ebstein's anomaly--experiences with surgical treatment in adulthood

INTRODUCTION: Long time results with operative treatment of Ebstein anomaly were examined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1985 to March 2001 16 patients with Ebstein anomaly were operated on. Ages ranged from 16 to 49 years at the time of operation. In 7 cases tricuspid valve repair was possible, and in 9 cases prosthetic valve was inserted. In all but one biological prosthesis has been used. In 15 cases atrial septal defect occurred as a concomitant anomaly, which was closed by direct suture in 9 cases and with patch (2 Dacron, 4 pericardium) in 6 cases. RESULTS: There was no early death (30 days postoperatively). 1 patient following tricuspid repair was reoperated on at the 9th postoperative day because of significant tricuspid insufficiency. Tricuspid valve replacement was performed with a biological prostheses. There were 3 late deaths: 2 patients (12.5%) in the first postoperative year (1 cardiac cause, 1 unknown), 1 patient died 6 years postoperatively following reoperation. There were 3 more patients requiring reoperation (total reoperation rate 28.6%) one of them a few days after the primary operation and two others 9 and 11 years following the first operation. 13 patients were recalled to control investigations. The authors could not contact 2 patients, 1 patient living abroad could not appear at our clinic. 10 patients have been investigated 6 months to 16 years after the operation. There were 9 patients in New York Heart Association class I or II. 2 patients had their own repaired valve; both had tricuspid insufficiency grade III. Both were completely active. 8 patients had previously tricuspid valve replacement and good valve function, but six of them have not been working any more. There were 5 female patients under 35 at the time of operation and 2 of them had successful pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Ebstein anomaly in NYHA stage III-IV. can be successfully treated surgically.     

重度三尖瓣病变行三尖瓣置换术27例临床应用

目的 探讨三尖瓣置换术(TVR)手术指征及方式,总结三尖瓣病变的手术治疗经验.方法 2005年9月至2010年5月共施行TVR 27例,其中置换生物瓣膜23例,机械瓣膜4例;同期行二尖瓣置换术8例,二尖瓣、主动脉瓣双瓣膜置换术4例,房间隔缺损修补术4例.结果 手术病死率为11.1％(3/27),其中2例术后死于重度低心排血量综合征,1例术后第7天死于多器官功能衰竭.术后二次开胸止血1例,经积极治疗后顺利康复出院.随访率91.7％(22/24),1例术后3年死于生物瓣膜毁损,1例术后19个月死于脑栓塞.随访期间心功能NYHA分级恢复至Ⅰ级6例,Ⅱ级14例.结论 行TVR的患者中、远期病死率均较高,对于严重的三尖瓣病变患者,正确的手术方式、合理的围手术期处理是手术成功的关键.对于年龄大于50岁、随访不便以及未生育适龄女性患者来说,优先考虑置换生物瓣膜.     

二尖瓣人工腱索移植术105例手术分析

目的 总结二尖瓣人工腱索移植术的手术治疗经验.方法 选择应用二尖瓣人工腱索移植术治疗的退行性二尖瓣脱垂并关闭不全患者105例.其中,单纯人工腱索移植25例,人工腱索移植＋后叶楔形切除67例,人工腱索移植＋后叶楔形切除＋Sliding 13例.结果 术后早期无死亡病例.术后并发症：窦性心动过缓8例、室上性心动过速20例、延迟性心包填塞1例、术前心房颤动伴快-慢综合征患者永久起搏器置入l例,均治愈出院.住院时间9～21 （14±4）d.术后随访96例,随访率91.4％（96/105）.随访3个月至5年.96例随访患者中,l例术后13个月死于脑梗死,1例死于交通事故,余94例均存活.NYHA心功能分级Ⅰ级74例,Ⅱ级20例.复查心脏彩超示微量及以下反流92例,轻度反流2例,未发现人工腱索断裂或劈裂.结论 严格选择病例,掌握恰当的手术技巧,同时做好术中成形效果的评估和体外循环期间的心肌保护,是提高二尖瓣人工腱索移植术疗效的关键.     

Surgery of the mitral valve--in the work of József Kudász

The author described his results of surgical treatment of mitral valve disease. Of 57 patients, the isolated mitral procedure was performed in 72%, and the combined (valve and coronary) in 28% of the cases. In 75% of the patients valve repair, and in 25% valve replacement were performed. There were 2 cases (3.5%) of early mortality after combined surgery where patients had also ischaemic heart disease. All the replaced valve prostheses and 84% of repaired mitral valve had a normal function. The mitral regurgitation was moderate in 14%, of cases and mild in 2% of cases at the follow up, but no reoperation was needed. After the surgery 85% of patients had sinus rhythm, 13% had atrial arrhythmia and in 2% the pacemaker was needed. Attempt of valve repair had to be made in all patients with mitral valve disease which can be performed in almost every case of degenerative valve prolapse and the rupture of chordae tendineae.     

自体心包材料二尖瓣环成形术的中期结果

目的 回顾性分析自体心包材料二尖瓣环成形术的中期效果.方法 采用自体心包材料行二尖瓣环成形术48例.Carpentier分型：Ⅰ型5例,Ⅱ型41例,Ⅲ型2例.瓣叶及瓣下结构成形包括后叶四边形切除30例,瓣叶修补7例,腱索转移4例,“缘对缘”技术2例,人工腱索3例.伴随手术包括主动脉瓣替换1例,三尖瓣成形11例,冠状动脉旁路移植术9例,冠状动脉肌桥松解1例,永久性起搏器植入1例.自体心包条的长度为（51.9 ±2.8）cm.术后随访15～96（62.2 ±21.3）个月.采用门诊随访及电话随访方式,随访内容包括临床症状、心功能、超声心动图检查等.结果 术后左心室舒张末期内径[（45.1±1.3） mm vs（58.6±1.7）mm,t=12.85,P＜0.01]、左心房内径[（38.0±1.4）mm vs （50.6±1.6） mm,t=9.58,P＜0.01]明显缩小.全组早期术后无明显反流.术后30 d内死亡1例.远期无死亡,术后发生脑梗死1例,远期出现中度反流1例.无溶血并发症,无再次手术.结论 自体心包材料二尖瓣环成形是一种抗凝并发症发生率低、耐久性可、心功能维护好、廉价的成形方法.     

Predictive factors of mortality in combined coronary and vascular surgery. Report of 46 cases

From 1994 and 2003, 46 patients underwent surgical myocardial revascularisation associated to valvular surgery. Surgical indications were for valvular disease in 13 cases (28%), for coronary disease in 16 cases (35%) and associated coronary and valvular disease in 17 cases (37%); Isolated conservative mitral repair was performed in 22 cases (48%); mitral valve replacement in 10 cases (41%), aortic valve replacement in 11 cases (46%) associated mitral and aortic surgery in 3 cases (13%). Intra-aortic balloon pump was used in 4 patients (9%). In the post operative period complete atrio-ventricular heart bloc occurred in 2 cases. For the entire group, 8 deaths (17%) occurred in the hospital, related to low cardiac output in 5 cases (63%). Long term follow up was achieved in a mean period of 18 months. 25 patients (68%) were asymptomatic and one late death occurred after severe heart failure. The predictive factors of hospital mortality were: preoperative ischemic mitral insufficiency. Various large series in the literature have documented operative risk of myocardial revascularisation when combined with valve surgery. In our group the high rate of hospital mortality (17%) explains the difficulties in medical and surgical care of this combined valvular and coronary disease especially in the perioperative period.     

Mitral regurgitation: current trends in diagnosis and management

Mitral regurgitation is the most prevalent heart valve disorder in the United States. Individuals with mitral regurgitation may be asymptomatic or may present with dyspnea, orthopnea, fatigue, and/or heart rhythm disturbances. Long-standing mitral regurgitation causes chronic left ventricular volume overload, which leads to left ventricular dilation and contractile dysfunction. Without treatment, mitral regurgitation results in biventricular failure and death. Echocardiography is the preferred diagnostic test to assess the presence and severity of mitral regurgitation. Mitral valve surgery, the only effective treatment for patients with severe mitral regurgitation, is recommended early in the course of the disease to prevent the development of heart failure. Early recognition of mitral regurgitation and timely referral for mitral valve surgery significantly improve symptoms and long-term survival.     

Percutaneous mitral commissurotomy. 5-year results

Long-term results of percutaneous mitral commissurotomy were evaluated in 410 patients with mean age of 31 years (18 to 68 years). 48% of patients had mean thickened leaflets, 35% had calcified valves and 17% had flexible leaflets and subvalvular apparatus. Procedure was performed with a double balloon in 57% and with Inoue's balloon in 43% patients. A good immediate results was obtained in 77% of patients. A good result was defined as a mitral valve area > or = 1.5 cm2 without mitral regurgitation. Clinical follow-up concern 378 patients. The actuarial 5 years rate were 84% in our serie, without surgery or new percutaneous mitral commissurotomy and good functional results (NYHA class I or II) were 71%. Valvular anatomy, immediate results (mitral valve area), history of mitral commissurotomy, old patients, atrial fibrillation can influence strongly the results.     

A Nurse with Neck Pain and Fever After a Needle-Stick

Abstract

Mitral regurgitation is the most prevalent heart valve disorder in the United States. Individuals with mitral regurgitation may be asymptomatic or may present with dyspnea, orthopnea, fatigue, and/or heart rhythm disturbances. Long-standing mitral regurgitation causes chronic left ventricular volume overload, which leads to left ventricular dilation and contractile dysfunction. Without treatment, mitral regurgitation results in biventricular failure and death. Echocardiography is the preferred diagnostic test to assess the presence and severity of mitral regurgitation. Mitral valve surgery, the only effective treatment for patients with severe mitral regurgitation, is recommended early in the course of the disease to prevent the development of heart failure. Early recognition of mitral regurgitation and timely referral for mitral valve surgery significantly improve symptoms and long-term survival.     

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.     

Serial echocardiographic and clinical evaluation of valvular regurgitation before, during, and after treatment with fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine and mazindol or phentermine.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of cardiac valvular regurgitation demonstrated by echocardiography in patients who took appetite-suppressant medication for weight loss has been assessed at 5%-30%. We studied 86 patients who had echocardiograms before treatment with appetite suppressants to determine the incidence of new cases and to evaluate the clinical implication of the echocardiographic findings. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We studied 69 men [Mean+/-Standard Deviation (S) age 49+/-8] and 17 women (mean+/-S age 50+/-7) who had 233 echocardiograms before, during, and after a weight-loss program that used predominantly fenfluramine (or dexfenfluramine) with mazindol (or phentermine). Mean drug exposure was 17 months. Blinded echocardiographic readings were performed to identify and grade aortic regurgitation (AR) or mitral regurgitation (MR). RESULTS: Seven of 86 patients (8%) had pre-existing regurgitation with five (6%) meeting our case definition. Thirteen (16.5%) of initially normal patients developed valvular regurgitation and were new cases. Of the new cases, 12 were grade I/IV AR and one was both grade II/III MR and II/IV AR. All 13 patients were asymptomatic, and only two aortic insufficiency murmurs could be auscultated. There was significantly greater risk for developing valvulopathy for those who took medications longer than 6 months (p = 0.03), and no new cases were observed in patients exposed for less than 8 months. No increased risk associated with age, presence of hypertension, or exposure to fenfluramine-phentermine combination was demonstrated. Although there was a higher incidence of new regurgitation in women (31% vs. 13% for men), this was not statistically significant (p = 0.093). DISCUSSION: Some patients who had normal echocardiograms at baseline developed cardiac valvular regurgitation after exposure to fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine with mazindol or phentermine. The development of valvulopathy was significantly correlated with duration of exposure. The clinical implications of echocardiographically demonstrated regurgitation are uncertain, since there were only two audible murmurs and no other clinically relevant signs or symptoms among the patients.     

“缘对缘”技术基础上的腱索转移法治疗二尖瓣前叶脱垂

目的 介绍一种操作简单、效果可靠的矫治二尖瓣前叶脱垂的手术方法.方法 2004年1月至2010年10月,应用“缘对缘”技术基础上的腱索转移法治疗二尖瓣前叶脱垂病例共18例,先行脱垂部位前叶与相应部位后叶的“缘对缘”缝合,矩形切下缝合处的后叶,连同相应的腱索、乳头肌,转移至前叶.再行后叶成形,完成瓣膜成形手术.所有患者出院前和半年后随访时再次行超声心动图检查.结果 手术无死亡病例,1例因术后第3天出现二尖瓣前叶穿孔再次行二尖瓣置换手术,血红蛋白尿1例,低心排血量综合征1例,给予对症处理,其余15例患者均顺利康复出院.术后远期随访无死亡,心功能全部恢复至Ⅰ级.复查超声心动图二尖瓣瓣口面积2.8～4.8(3.78±0.52) cm2,均无明显反流,反流面积(0.45±0.22) cm,左房径术前(48.26±11.12) mm,术后(37.57±9.56) mm(P＝ 0.028);左室舒张末径术前(61.43±8.24) mm,术后(42.35±10.79) mm(P＝0.008).结论 “缘对缘”技术基础上的腱索转移法治疗二尖瓣前叶脱垂,操作简单,可以取得良好的成形效果.     

Large ostium secundum atrial septal defect discovered after severe mitral regurgitation. A case report

Mitral regurgitation is associated with ostium secundum atrial septal defect in about 22% of cases. mitral valve prolapse induced by atrial shunt is the main cause of this regurgitation. Ususually, atrial septal defect discovery precedes that of mitral regurgitation. The aim of this paper is to focus on clinical, hemodynamic and evolutive details of atrial septal defect and mitral regurgitation association. We report the case of large atrial septal defect in 37 years old girl referred for hemodynamic investigation of mitral regurgitation. The divergence of clinical data, electrocardiogram and echocardiography findings has led to atrial septal defect discovery. Hemodynamic data showed severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (medium pulmonary arterial pressure: 45 mmhg). Hence, mitral valve substitution by mechanical prosthesis and closure of atrial septal defect have been carried out. Ten hours after surgery, death occurred because of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension and heart failure. CONCLUSION: Association of severe mitral regurgitation and large ostium secundum atrial septal defect is an original anatomo-clinic entity caracterized by mitral valve lesions diversity and severe secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension. Danger of such a hypertension is due to progressive and infra clinical rise of pulmonary resistances and association of increased pulmonary blood flow and capillary pulmonary hypertension.     

二尖瓣成形术治疗二尖瓣关闭不全的疗效分析

目的分析二尖瓣瓣膜成形术(MVP)治疗中重度二尖瓣关闭不全(MR)患者的临床疗效。 方法以2013年6月至2017年6月徐州医科大学附属沭阳医院心胸外科收治的28例行MVP的MR患者为研究对象行回顾性分析,其中男性17例,女性11例;年龄50～72岁,平均(61.5±10.6)岁。所有患者术前均存在中重度MR。术前根据患者的合并症、病变部位的定位和合并腱索断裂与否,评估选择可行的MVP术式及合并手术：所有患者均采用正中切口、体外循环下手术治疗,术中行二尖瓣楔形切除、矩形切除及缘对缘缝合方法修补二尖瓣,合并腱索断裂或腱索冗长的行e-PTFE线人工腱索植入,常规行二尖瓣成型环植入,术中注水观察评估瓣膜成行效果。术中采取的二尖瓣成形方法统计：7例(25.0%)植入1～3根腱索,行二尖瓣矩切除术9例(32.1%),二尖瓣楔形切除术8例(28.6%),二尖瓣缘对缘缝合4例(14.3%),所有患者均置入鞍形二尖瓣成形环。对于合并心房颤动的患者同期行单纯左心耳切除术(LAA),或心房颤动射频消融术(AB)＋LAA;合并冠心病,则同期行冠状动脉搭桥术(CABG);合并中度及以上的三尖瓣关闭不全,则同期行三尖瓣成形环植入手术(TVP)。1例(3.6%)患者行MVP＋CABG,1例(3.6%)行MVP＋TVP＋LAA;3例(10.7%)行MVP＋TVP＋AB＋LAA;5例(17.9%)行MVP＋TVP;18例(64.3%)行单纯MVP。术后予华法林抗凝治疗3～6个月,合并心房颤动者终身抗凝治疗。统计所有患者采取的手术方式,包括合并手术、二尖瓣成形方法;对比患者术前及术后2年的返流、心功能改善情况以及LAD、左心室舒张末内径(LVEDD)、左心室射血分数(LVEF)水平的差异。 结果所有患者术前均为中重度返流,术后2年复查心脏彩超：21例(75.0%)无明显二尖瓣返流,6例(21.4%)二尖瓣轻度返流,1例(3.6%)二尖瓣中度返流。且所有患者的心功能较术前均提升1 ～ 2级。术前LAD[(49.42±12.58)mm],术后2年LAD[(38.17±9.84)mm],术前LVEDD[(50.91±7.93)mm],术后LVEDD[(44.37±7.42)mm],术后均较术前明显缩小;术前LVEF(51.69±9.71)%,术后LVEF(62.79±8.53)%,术后LVEF较术前明显增加。 结论MVP治疗MR安全有效、疗效显著,但远期效果还待进一步研究随访。     

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.     

Assessment of pure isolated mitral valve insufficiency by Doppler echocardiography]

Taking 33 patients having pure MI as a material, the authors find a correlation between regurgitation fraction obtained by calculation of outputs estimated by Touch's method and angiographic values. There is a statistically significant differences (P < 0.001) between regurgitation fraction of grade I to II and grade II to III MI. The ratio mitral integral time velocity (ITV) to Aortic (ITV) is an important semi-quantitative assessment of pure MI. In fact, a ratio > 1.3 identify important degree of MI with 82% sensitivity and 93% specificity. The authors estimate that there is a correlation between the ratio of regurgitant jet surface to left atrial surface found in TEE and their degree of MI in angiography with a significant difference (P < 0.001) between the ratio of grade I to II and grade II to III MI in angiography. A ratio higher than 40% allow to identify grade III MI at minimum.