Patient-reported outcome measures after mitral valve repair: a comparison between minimally invasive and sternotomy

OBJECTIVESTo compare patient-reported outcome measures of minimally invasive (MI) to sternotomy (ST) mitral valve repair.Open in a separate windowMETHODSWe included all patients undergoing isolated mitral valve surgery via either a right mini-thoracotomy (MI) or ST over a 36-month period. Patients were asked to complete a modified Composite Physical Function questionnaire. Intraoperative and postoperative outcomes, and patient-reported outcome measures were compared between 2 propensity-matched groups (n = 47/group), assessing 3 domains: ‘Recovery Time’, ‘Postoperative Pain’ (at day 2 and 1, 3, 6 and 12 weeks) and ‘Treatment Satisfaction’. Composite scores for each domain were subsequently constructed and multivariable analysis was used to determine whether surgical approach was associated with domain scores.RESULTSThe response rate was 79%. There was no mortality in either group. In the matched groups, operative times were longer in the MI group (P < 0.001), but postoperative outcomes were similar. Composite scores for Recovery Time [ST 51.7 (31.8–62.1) vs MI 61.7 (43.1–73.9), P = 0.03] and Pain [ST 65.7 (40.1–83.1) vs MI 79.1 (65.5–89.5), P = 0.02] significantly favoured the MI group. Scores in the Treatment Satisfaction domain were high for both surgical approaches [ST 100 (82.5–100) vs MI 100 (95.0–100), P = 0.15]. The strongest independent predictor of both faster recovery parameter estimate 12.0 [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.7–18.3, P < 0.001] and less pain parameter estimate 7.6 (95% CI 0.7–14.5, P = 0.03) was MI surgery.CONCLUSIONSMI surgery was associated with faster recovery and less pain; treatment satisfaction and safety profiles were similar.     

Special issues regarding redo mitral valve procedures in the developing countries

Redo mitral valve replacement remains the standard treatment for recurrent mitral valve disease. Most patients referred for a redo surgery in the western world are older and present with multiple comorbidities. With the successful broad implementation of anti-infective treatment, rheumatic mitral valve disease has become highly uncommon. Nonetheless, rheumatic heart disease is still thriving in developing countries causing the most severe mitral valve conditions. The guidelines are there to help us in our decision-making process, but the actual decision has to be made based on each patients' individual criteria.     

Minimally invasive off-pump valve-in-a-ring implantation: the atrial transcatheter approach for re-operative mitral valve replacement after failed repair

Objective: Based upon recent developments in transcatheter technology, this study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and haemodynamic performance of transcatheter valve-in-a-ring (VinR) implantation for potentially failed mitral repair using a minimally invasive, transatrial, off-pump approach. Methods: Adult sheep (54.3 ± 3.0 kg) underwent mitral valve repair with a 26 mm complete annuloplasty ring (Physio™) using standard conventional techniques. To simulate the redo operation, a transcatheter 23 mm pericardial prosthesis (Edwards Sapien™) mounted on a balloon-inflatable steel stent was deployed within the annuloplasty ring. VinR implantation was performed off-pump under rapid pacing in four and on-pump in three animals using an antegrade transatrial approach under fluoroscopic guidance. Results: Transcatheter VinR implantation was successful in all seven sheep. Mean transvalvular gradient was 4.9 ± 0.3 mmHg. VinR function was excellent with no leak in one, good with mild leak in five (trans-stent: four, paravalvular: one) and sufficient with moderate central leak in one animal, respectively. Valve deployment required 10.0 ± 0.7 min and all transcatheter prostheses were confirmed in good position on postmortem analysis, without any signs of valve dislocation or embolisation. In an in-vitro model, the minimum force required to dislodge the valve was 32.9 ± 5.2 N, which was well above the normal estimated forces generated by the left ventricle. One animal was kept alive to assess mid-term outcome and is still well 12 months after the VinR implantation. Conclusions: Transatrial, transcatheter mitral VinR implantation is feasible using a minimally invasive off-pump approach. VinR implantation is a promising concept for re-operative surgery for selected patients after failed mitral valve repair.     

机器人微创二尖瓣置换术

目的 总结机器人二尖瓣置换术的临床应用,以评估其安全性及有效性.方法 2008年6月至2011年4月,20例患者接受机器人二尖瓣置换术,男7例,女13例;年龄32～65岁,平均(44.7±9.8)岁.术前心功能Ⅰ～Ⅱ级16例,Ⅲ级4例.15例合并房颤.股动、静脉及右侧颈内静脉插管建立体外循环.右侧胸壁打直径为0.8cm的器械臂孔3个,直径为1.5～2.5cm工作孔1个,术者于三维成像系统下遥控微创器械完成二尖瓣置换.术中食管超声引导建立体外循环并评估手术效果.术后常规进行随访.结果 无手术死亡及术中术式转化.机器人二尖瓣置换平均体外循环(137.1±21.9)min,主动脉阻断(99.3±17.4)min.随访(12.1±6.6)个月,未见瓣周漏等并发症.结论 机器人系统可安全、有效地完成二尖瓣置换,术后近期效果良好.     

右胸小切口二尖瓣置换术与传统手术比较

目的 比较右胸小切口与胸骨正中切口二尖瓣置换术的临床疗效.方法 回顾性分析2009年9月至2012年5月行右胸小切口二尖瓣置换术128例(微创组)与同期行胸骨正中切口二尖瓣置换术120例(传统组)的临床资料,并进行对比研究.结果 两组在年龄、性别、心功能分级、瓣膜病变、合并心脏疾病等方面的差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);两组术后并发症(再次开胸止血、新发房颤、肺炎、脑血管意外、伤口愈合不良等)发生率差异亦无统计学意义(P＞0.05).围术期微创组死亡1例,传统组死亡2例.微创组的体外循环、主动脉阻断时间较传统组长(P＜0.05),而术后ICU住院、术后机械通气、术后住院时间较传统组短(P＜0.05),术后引流量及输血量也较传统组少(P＜0.05).术后微创组随访(15.0±4.8)个月,传统组(23.3±3.9)个月.两组均无院外死亡病例,无瓣周漏、脑血管意外、机械瓣故障、溶血等严重并发症发生,两组心功能分级差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 右胸小切口二尖瓣置换手术安全、有效,值得临床推广应用.     

Benefits of robotically-assisted surgery for complex mitral valve repair

OBJECTIVESTo determine whether robotic mitral valve repair can be applied to more complex lesions compared with minimally invasive direct mitral valve repair through a right thoracotomy. Open in a separate windowMETHODSWe enrolled 335 patients over a 9-year period; 95% of the robotic surgeries were performed after experience performing direct mitral valve repair.RESULTSThe mean age in the robotic versus thoracotomy repair groups was 61 ± 14 vs 55 ± 11 years, respectively (P < 0.001); 97% vs 100% of the patients, respectively, had degenerative aetiologies. Repair complexity was simple in 106 (63%) vs 140 (84%), complex in 34 (20%) vs 20 (12%) and most complex in 29 (17%) vs 6 (4%) patients undergoing robotic versus thoracotomy repair, respectively. The average complexity score with robotic repair was significantly higher versus thoracotomy repair (P < 0.001). The robotic group underwent more chordal replacement using polytetrafluoroethylene and less resections. All patients underwent ring annuloplasty. Cross-clamp time did not differ between the groups, and no strokes or deaths occurred. More patients undergoing robotic repair underwent concomitant procedures versus the thoracotomy group (30% vs 14%, respectively; P < 0.001). The overall repair rate was 100%, with no early mortality or strokes in either group. Postoperative mean residual mitral regurgitation was 0.3 in both groups, and the mean pressure gradient through the mitral valve was 2.4 vs 2.7 mmHg (robotic versus thoracotomy repair, respectively; P = 0.031).CONCLUSIONSRobotic surgery can be applied to repair more complex mitral lesions, with excellent early outcomes.     

胸腔镜辅助与前正中开胸二尖瓣置换术的对比研究

目的 比较胸腔镜辅助与前正中开胸两种方式进行二尖瓣置换术的治疗效果,探讨胸腔镜辅助二尖瓣置换术的可行性.方法 2003年10月至2011年10月,共完成胸腔镜辅助二尖瓣置换术72例,同期完成前正中开胸二尖瓣置换74例,对两组患者的体外循环时间、升主动脉阻断时间、术后呼吸机辅助时间、胸腔引流液量、术后ICU停留时间及术后住院时间等资料进行统计学分析比较.结果 胸腔镜组体外循环时间及升主动脉阻断时间较前正中开胸时间长,且差异具有统计学意义.但两组患者的术后呼吸机辅助时间和术后ICU停留时间差异无统计学意义.胸腔镜组的胸腔引流液量少于前正中开胸组,差异具有统计学意义.结论 只要严格把握好适应证,胸腔镜辅助二尖瓣置换术可以作为常规手术开展.     

Port-access atrium retractors for totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery: The Tornado Retractor, the Butterfly Retractor, and the Semiautomatic Butterfly Retractor

Introduction  We developed three types of new atrial retractors that facilitate totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery. Technique  Tornado Retractor: This retractor, which is made of rigid thick wire has a unique appearance, and can be inserted atraumatically through a 3-mm skin incision. Butterfly Retractor: This retractor consists of two parts: a rigid thick rod and foldable blades. When unfolded, the blades have a width of 35 × 55 mm, but they can be inserted thorough the 15-mm thoracoport when folded. Semiautomatic Butterfly Retractor: This retractor has a wired foldable blade and a specially designed rod containing a spring. It can be inserted when closed through the 15-mm thoracoport, and the blades can be opened and fixed automatically after being placed in the thoracic cavity, and the surgeon can remove it through the port easily. These retractors were evaluated in the totally endoscopic robotic mitral valve repairs with human fresh frozen cadavers using the da Vinci^TM Surgical System. Conclusion  All the retractors allowed easier access to the heart and provided superior mitral valve presentation without impinging on the robotic arms.     

Superior septal approach for mitral valve surgery: a word of caution

Objective: Superior septal approach provides excellent exposure of the mitral valve and the subvalvular structures. The unavoidable section of the sinus node artery is in relationship with this technique. We have studied the electrical changes associated after using this approach. Material and Methods: We studied 247 cases of mitral valve surgery from 1996 to 2003. The patient population was divided into two comparative groups: group I (128 cases) was represented by the superior septal approach and group II (119 cases) composed the conventional right lateral approach through the left atrium. Preoperatively, 48 patients (37.5%) in group I and 46 (38.6%) in group II were in a normal sinus rhythm. Mean follow-up was 30.7 months in group I and 33.5 months in group II. Results: There was no mortality in group I and eight cases (6.7%) in group II. A high incidence of changes as junctional rhythm was observed in group I, especially after weaning of cardiopulmonary bypass and on the first day after surgery (P>0.001). Postoperative P–R interval of the patients in sinus rhythm was 100±30 ms in group I and 148±24 ms in group II (P>0.05). P–R interval in group I was shorter than normal. P-wave morphology changed becoming inverted in leads II, III and aVF after surgery in these cases in group I. A full recuperation in P–R interval and the P-wave axis was seen in 52 cases (87.5%) in patients in group I after the third postoperative month. A definitive pacemaker implantation was need in two cases (1.5%) in group I and in six (5%) in group II (P>0.05). Conclusions: A superior septal approach is directly related with the loss of normal sinus rhythm because of the section of the sinus node artery. After a brief period of transient electrical changes, a new low atrial or coronary sinus rhythm slower than normal sinus rhythm appears. In consequence, a word of caution must be strongly considered in patients critically dependent on normal sinus rhythm, despite the low incidence of definitive electrical changes. Normal sinus rhythm appears again after the third postoperative month.     

Comparison of outcomes of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery for posterior, anterior and bileaflet prolapse

Objective: We sought to compare the outcomes of minimally invasive mitral valve (MV) surgery for anterior (anterior mitral leaflet, AML), posterior (posterior mitral leaflet, PML) or bileaflet (BL) MV prolapse. Methods: Between August 1999 and December 2007, 1230 patients who presented with isolated AML (n = 156, 12.7%), isolated PML (n = 672, 54.6%) or BL (n = 402, 32.7%) MV prolapse underwent minimally invasive MV surgery. The preoperative mitral regurgitation (MR) grade was 3.3 ± 0.8, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 62 ± 12% and mean age was 58.9 ± 13.0 years; 836 patients (68.0%) were male. Mean follow-up time was 2.7 ± 2.1 years, and the follow-up was 100% complete. Results: Overall, the MV repair rate was 94.0% (1156 patients). Seventy-four patients (6.0%) received MV replacement. MV repair for PML prolapse was accomplished in 651 patients (96.9%), for AML in 142 patients (91%) and for BL in 363 patients (90.3%). Repair techniques consisted predominantly of leaflet resection and/or implantation of neochordae, combined with ring annuloplasty. Concomitant procedures were tricuspid valve surgery (n = 56), atrial fibrillation ablation (n = 286) and closure of an atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale (PFO) (n = 89). The overall duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was 127 ± 40 min and aortic cross-clamp time was 78 ± 33 min. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 11.6 ± 9.7 days for the overall group. Early echocardiographic follow-up revealed excellent valve function in the vast majority of patients, regardless of the repair technique, with a mean MR grade of 0.3 ± 0.5. For the overall group, 5-year survival rate was 87.3% (95% CI: 83.9–90.1) and 5-year freedom from cardiac reoperation rate was 95.6% (95% CI: 94.1–96.7). The log-rank test revealed no significant difference between the three groups regarding long-term survival or freedom from reoperation. Conclusions: Minimally invasive MV repair can be achieved with excellent results. Long-term outcomes and reoperation rates for AML prolapse are not significantly different from PML or BL prolapse.     

二尖瓣成形术临床应用542例及随访

目的回顾性总结542例二尖瓣成形术病人的手术疗效和20年随访结果。方法1985年至2006年，542例二尖瓣病变的病人接受二尖瓣成形术，男306例，女236例。474例随访1-240个月，平均（41．03±40．40）个月，随访率90．8％。结果手术死亡20例（3．7％），出院时病人心功能均为Ⅰ级或Ⅱ级。随访死亡20例，再次手术23例；7年、10年和15年生存率分别为91％、88％和70％；7年和10年二次手术免除率分别为94％和86％。结论二尖瓣成形治疗二尖瓣病变，死亡率低，远期效果好。     

慢性心房颤动合并二尖瓣病的迷宫手术

作者自１９９５年至１９９６年１０月共作２０例慢性心房颤动的迷宫手术和二尖瓣替换或修复术。术吣外膜标测结果左房多为扑（１４／２０）,右房则往往是颤动（１８／２０）。无早期死亡。２０例随访３个月以上,其中１４例随访在１年以上,经电生理检查均为窦性心率,房室同步活动,不能诱发房颤;经多普勒超声心动图检查,左和右心房输出功能正常。晚期死亡１例,手术后４年半月死于急性坏死性肝炎,对迷宫手术作了一些改进,术后     

Papillary fibroelastoma of a mitral valve chorda

A 43-year-old woman presented with an ischemic stroke in the right middle cerebral artery territory. Cardiac echography disclosed a tumor of a primary chordae of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve. After neurologic recovery, the patient was referred to surgery for excision of the tumor and plastic reconstruction using a chordal transfer technique. Histological examination of the tumor showed a typical papillary fibroelastoma. Papillary fibroelastoma is the third most frequent cardiac benign tumor. The high embolic potential of this tumor is in favor of an aggressive surgical attitude.     

Long-term clinical outcome of mitral valve repair in asymptomatic severe mitral regurgitation

Objective: To assess the long-term survival, the incidence of cardiac complications and the factors that predict outcome in asymptomatic patients with severe degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) undergoing mitral valve repair. Methods: Up to 143 asymptomatic patients (mean age 63 ± 12 years) with severe degenerative MR who underwent mitral valve repair between 1990 and 2001 were subsequently followed up for a median of 8 years. The study population was subdivided into three subgroups: patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and/or dilatation (n = 18), patients with atrial fibrillation and/or pulmonary hypertension (n = 44) and patients without MR-related complications (n = 81). Results: For the patients, 10-year overall and cardiovascular survival was 82 ± 4% and 90 ± 3%. At 10 years, patients without preoperative MR-related complications had significantly better overall survival than patients with preoperative LV dysfunction and/or dilatation (89 ± 4% vs 57 ± 13%, log rank p = 0.001). Patients without preoperative MR-related complications also tended to have a better 10-year overall and cardiovascular survival than patients with atrial fibrillation and/or pulmonary hypertension (overall survival of 79 ± 8%), although this did not reach statistical significance (log rank p = 0.17). Cox regression analysis identified the baseline left ventricular ejection fraction and age as the sole independent predictors of outcome. Conclusion: Our data indicate that in asymptomatic patients with severe degenerative MR, mitral valve repair is associated with an excellent long-term prognosis. Nonetheless, the presence of preoperative MR-related complications, in particular LV dysfunction and/or dilatation, greatly attenuates the benefits of surgery. This suggests that mitral valve repair should be performed early, before any MR-related complications ensue.     

二尖瓣脱垂并关闭不全的外科修补

目的：总结二尖瓣脱垂的外科修复经验,方法：对44例二尖脱垂患者的临床资料进行回顾分析。44例患者中风湿性2例,非风湿性42例（22例合并先天性心脏病）,关不全中度24例,重度20例,腱索断裂或缺如12例,腱索过长32例,其中多根腱索过长6例,治疗行腱索移植10例,健索缩短25例（多根腱索短6例）,人工腱索1例,瓣叶折叠3例,瓣叶切除5例,同时行瓣裂缝合8例,瓣环成形28例（后环缝缩14例）,结果：结果：全组无手术死亡病例,1例风湿性患者术后1个月发生左心房血栓再次手术行瓣膜替换,二尖瓣功能正常34例（77．8％）,基本正常6（13．6％）,残留轻至中度关闭不全3例（6．8％）,随访1－18例（平均6．5年）,效果良好,结论：外科修复治疗二尖瓣脱垂是一种安全有效的手术方法。     

Prediction of postoperative left ventricular systolic function in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation undergoing valve surgery — the role of deformation imaging

Objective: Preoperative left ventricular systolic function is an important prognostic factor in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. Preoperative myocardial deformation may be impaired without reduction in conventional indices such as ejection fraction (EF). Strain rate (SR) imaging is very sensitive in detecting regional systolic abnormalities and might allow diagnosis of subclinical changes in systolic left ventricular (LV) function before surgery. We aimed to investigate the value of preoperative regional myocardial peak systolic SR as a predictor of postoperative LV systolic function in patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) undergoing surgery. Methods: A total of 62 patients (age 52 ± 12) with chronic severe MR, who underwent mitral valve repair, were studied. A standard echo examination, extended with tissue Doppler, was performed before and at 12 months after surgery. For the evaluation of longitudinal function, mid-ventricular segment shortening was analysed for the septum, LV lateral wall and anterior and inferior walls. Results: Patients were divided into two groups based on postoperative EF: group 1 with EF_post-op > 50% and group 2 with EF_post-op < 50%. Group 1 had a significantly (p = 0.004) higher preoperative SR (LV lateral wall: −1.97 ± 0.26 s⁻¹; septum: −1.74 ± 0.31 s⁻¹; anterior wall: −1.94 ± 0.30 s⁻¹, inferior wall: −1.93 ± 0.29 s⁻¹) compared to group 2 (LV lateral wall: −0.98 ± 0.23 s⁻¹; septum: −0.98 ± 0.26 s⁻¹; anterior wall: −0.94 ± 0.30 s⁻¹, inferior wall: −1.00 ± 0.24 s⁻¹). When SR was corrected for size, the SR/EDV index (EDV is end diastolic volume) also showed significant changes (p = 0.0007) at baseline between the groups. For detecting subclinical changes in deformation of the LV lateral wall, a cut-off value of the SR/EDV index < 0.006 had 89% sensitivity and 93% specificity; for the anterior wall, SR/EDV index < 0.005 had 88% sensitivity and 94% specificity. Conclusions: SR imaging (corrected for geometry) can detect abnormalities in LV function at subclinical levels in patients with severe mitral regurgitation.     

In-hospital outcomes of patients undergoing concomitant aortic and mitral valve replacement in Germany

 Open in a separate windowOBJECTIVESTo evaluate in-hospital outcomes of concomitant mitral valve replacement (MVR) in patients undergoing conventional aortic valve replacement due to aortic stenosis in a nationwide cohort.METHODSAdministrative data from all patients with aortic stenosis undergoing conventional aortic and concomitant MVR (reason for MVR not specified) between 2017 and 2018 in Germany were analysed.RESULTSA total of 2597 patients with a preoperative logistic EuroScore of 9.81 (standard deviation: 8.56) were identified. In-hospital mortality was 6.8%. An in-hospital stroke occurred in 3.4%, acute kidney injury in 16.3%, prolonged mechanical ventilation of more than 48 h in 16.3%, postoperative delirium in 15.8% and postoperative pacemaker implantation in 7.6% of the patients. Mean hospital stay was 16.5 (standard deviation: 12.1) days. Age [odds ratio (OR): 1.03; P = 0.019], New York Heart Association class III or IV (OR: 1.63; P = 0.012), previous cardiac surgery (OR: 2.85, P = 0.002), peripheral vascular disease (OR: 2.01, P = 0.031), pulmonary hypertension (OR: 1.63, P = 0.042) and impaired renal function (glomerular filtration rate <15, OR: 3.58, P = 0.001; glomerular filtration rate <30, OR: 2.51, P = 0.037) were identified as independent predictors for in-hospital mortality.CONCLUSIONSIn this nationwide analysis, concomitant aortic and MVR was associated with acceptable in-hospital mortality, morbidity and length of in-hospital stay. The regression analyses may help to identify high-risk patients and further optimize treatment strategies.     

Observed versus expected morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing mitral valve repair

Open in a separate window OBJECTIVESMitral valve repair (MVP) is the gold standard treatment for degenerative mitral regurgitation. With the expansion of transcatheter technologies, this study compares the outcome of MVP in low-risk and non-low-risk patients to serve as a benchmark.METHODSThis retrospective, single-institution study examined all patients who underwent MVP for primary mitral regurgitation from 2005 to 2018. Patients were stratified into 2 risk categories: low-risk [Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Predicted Risk of Mortality (STS-PROM) ≤2%] and non-low risk (STS-PROM > 2% or age > 75), with a subgroup of very low risk (STS-PROM ≤1%, age <75).RESULTSA total of 1207 patients were included, and 1053 patients were classified as low risk and 154 as non-low risk. The non-low-risk group was significantly older, more likely to be female, and had a higher comorbidity burden than the low-risk group (all P < 0.01). For the low-risk group, the observed-to-expected (O:E) STS mortality ratio was 0.4 and the composite morbidity and mortality ratio was 0.6, whereas for the non-low risk, the O:E mortality was 1.5 and the composite morbidity and mortality was 0.9. When the subgroup of very low-risk group was assessed, the mortality O:E ratio was 0.CONCLUSIONSThe observed composite morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing MVP were persistently lower in low-risk patients, mainly driven by the very low-risk group. The excellent outcome of MVP in low-risk patients should be validated on a national level to determine how transcatheter technologies can be utilized in these patients.