Preliminary experience in mitral valve repair using the Cosgrove-Edwards annuloplasty ring

There is a wide range of annuloplasty systems available now. However, controversy concerning the choice of annuloplasty device persists. We analyzed our preliminary experience in mitral valve repair using the Cosgrove-Edwards annuloplasty ring. To correct their mitral insufficiency (MI), 118 consecutive patients (mean age, 60.4+/-15.1 years) underwent mitral repair using this annuloplasty device. NYHA functional class 3 or 4 were present in 86.4%. Degenerative heart disease was the cause of MI in 36.6% of the patients, ischemic heart disease in 25.4%, Barlow's disease in 17.8%, and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in 7.6%. Mitral surgical procedures included quadrangular resection and sliding of the posterior leaflet, posterior leaflet decalcification, anterior leaflet repair, the edge-to-edge technique, and chordal repair. Mean follow-up was 25.1+/-14.0 months. There were four in-hospital non-valve-related cardiac deaths, and one in-hospital non-cardiac death. No cases of systolic anterior motion were observed. NYHA functional class improved from 3.3+/-0.7, before repair, to 1.3+/-0.6, at follow-up (P=0.00012), MI from 3.6+/-0.5 to 0.5+/-0.6 (P=0.0096), and left ventricular ejection fraction from 52.0+/-12.2% to 55.4+/-12.0% (P=0.044). Three-year actuarial rates of survival, freedom from thromboembolism, and freedom from mitral reoperation were 96.9, 97.9, and 96.4%, respectively. The Cosgrove-Edwards annuloplasty ring does not combine with systolic anterior motion. It minimizes MI secondary to all causes, and preserves left ventricular function.     

Reconstructive surgery of the mitral valve using a soft synthetic half-ring

A soft synthetic semi-ring was used in reconstructive-plastic operations on 36 patients with rheumatic mitral insufficiency; it was sutured in the projection of the posterior cusp. The operative techniques and the immediate results are described. Lethality was 5.5%.     

Mitral valve insufficiency: suspension of the posterior leaflet to the mitral annuloplasty ring

Mitral valve insufficiency in rheumatic heart disease is often due to retracted posterior chordae and posterior leaflet thickening. Several surgical repair techniques have been described, but sometimes an acceptable coaptation of the mitral leaflets can not be achieved. Rather than accept a mitral regurgitation or resort to a mitral valve replacement, particularly in children, we have added a suspension of the posterior leaflet directly to the annuloplasty ring. This additional surgical repair technique was performed in 10 patients with a perfect coaptation of the mitral leaflets with immediate results and excellent mid-term results, without evidence of either mitral regurgitation, mitral valve stenosis, or leaflet abrasion due to the suspension sutures.     

改良二尖瓣成形术治疗小儿二尖瓣反流

目的 总结改良二尖瓣成形术在小儿二尖瓣反流中的治疗经验。方法 1999年3月至2009年12月共收治小二尖瓣中、重度反流行改良二尖瓣成形术患儿106例。全组男69例,女37例;年龄0.4～8.5岁,平均(3.7±1.8)岁;体重6.6 ～52.0 kg,平均(10.0±3.5)kg。术前超声评估左心室功能。按年龄分为3组：＜6个月16例;6个月到2岁51例;2岁到8.5岁39例。另有7例合并二尖瓣狭窄,根据术前血流动力学、功能状况和解剖结构分别采用取不同的手术方法。结果 死亡3例(2.8％),其中2例为术后二尖瓣反流加重严重影响心功能,1例为合并难以纠治的肺高压。其他患儿恢复良好。结论 对于小儿二尖瓣反流行成形术可行,术后早期效果良好,瓣膜发育尚可,再手术率相对较低。对小儿二尖瓣反流早期干预可以减少瓣膜损害。     

The Puig-Massana-Shiley annuloplasty ring for mitral valve repair: experience in 126 patients

Between October, 1982, and December, 1984, 126 patients at the Texas Heart Institute underwent mitral valve repair for mitral insufficiency utilizing the Puig-Massana-Shiley annuloplasty ring. Resection of a triangular-shaped wedge of the mural leaflet and direct suture repair was done in 42 patients, and anterior leaflet repair was used in 2 patients. There were 79 male (63%) and 47 female (37%) patients with a mean age of 58 years. Preoperatively, 95% were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class III or IV. Concomitant cardiac operations were performed in 82 patients and included coronary artery bypass grafting (49%), aortic valve replacement (16%), repair of ventricular septal defect (2%), resection of left ventricular aneurysm (2%), and repair of atrial septal defect (1%). There were 8 early deaths (6.3%) and 11 late deaths (8.7%). In 44 patients undergoing mitral valve repair as an isolated primary procedure, operative mortality was 2.3%. Murmurs of mitral insufficiency were present in 5 patients postoperatively, but only 1 required early reoperation for mitral valve replacement. Follow-up data have been obtained on 80% of the patients. Postoperative Functional Class was obtained for 63 of the 82 surviving patients and showed 92% of these patients to be in NYHA Functional Class I or II. Mitral valve repair incorporating the Puig-Massana-Shiley annuloplasty ring and valve leaflet revision is a reliable technique that is not technically demanding. We believe these methods should be attempted for correction of pure mitral insufficiency, particularly in circumstances where other cardiac repairs are required.     

Overlapping annuloplasty of the mitral valve in children

Harmonious reduction of the posterior annulus of the mitral valve can be a useful adjunct to obtain complete valve competence in case of annular dilatation. We present a technique with the use of two resorbable sutures that overlap over the middle third of the posterior annulus that was used in 10 children with good short-term results. Resorption of the sutures should permit subsequent normal growth of the mitral valve. If the primary cause of valvular regurgitation was corrected, it can be expected that the repair will remain stable after resorption of the sutures.     

Homemade expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene flexible mitral annuloplasty ring.

A homemade mitral annular prosthesis has been developed using expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene material. It is safe in that it avoids the risk of prosthesis wrinkle when stitches are tied. Simultaneously, it is strong enough to prevent future stretching and rupture. This device has been implanted in 60 patients with good and stable results at 42 months of follow-up. Our flexible mitral annular prosthesis is cost-effective and easily available in developing countries.     

Incidence and pathophysiology of atrioventricular block following mitral valve replacement and ring annuloplasty.

BACKGROUND: In this retrospective study we evaluate the causative mechanisms underlying postoperative atrioventricular block (AVB) following mitral valve replacement and mitral valve annuloplasty. METHODS: Between January 1990 and December 2003, 391 patients underwent mitral valve replacement or ring annuloplasty and quadrangular resection. Exclusion criteria were preoperative AV block, two or three valvular procedures, reoperations and procedures combined with coronary artery bypass grafting. The presence of the postoperative AVB was compared with preoperative and intraoperative variables. On 55 post-mortem specimens the relationship between the AV node, AV node artery and mitral valve annulus was investigated. RESULTS: The mean age was 59+/-14 years and 44% of patients were female. Postoperatively AVB occurred in 92 (23.5%) patients. AVB III was found in 17 (4%) patents, in whom a pacemaker was implanted within median interval of 4 days. Second degree AVB occurred and first degree AVB in five (1.3%) and in 70 (18%) patients respectively. In dry dissected human hearts in 23% of investigated cases the AV node artery was discovered to run close to the annulus of the mitral valve. CONCLUSIONS: Data collected in this study showed that, sotalol and amiodarone as well as a prolonged cross-clamp time may slightly influence the 23% incidence of postoperative AVB. The morphological investigation showed that the AV node artery runs in close proximity to the annulus in 23% of cases. We speculate that damage of the AV node artery may play a role in development of AVB.     

Mitral valve annuloplasty with U-shaped flexible band using Duran ring]

To preserve the physiologic function and correct annular dilatation, U-shaped flexible band was applied for mitral valve annuloplasty in 6 cases. U-shaped flexible band was made by cutting Duran ring to the proper length of posterior annulus using Carpentier-Edwards ring sizer. Echocardiographic mitral regurgitation decreased from 3.8 +/- 0.4 to 0.7 +/- 0.5 after repair. All patients discharged without any complications. This annuloplasty method is effective for mitral insufficiency.     

Five-year experience with a suture annuloplasty for mitral valve repair

We present five years' experience with mitral plication annuloplasty, performed with a semicircular buttressed suture around the posterior leaflet in 130 patients (mean age 58 +/- 11 years) with primary mitral valve disease (n = 71) or functional mitral regurgitation (n = 59). In 65 cases the mitral valve itself was also repaired. Concomitant myocardial revascularization was performed in 40 cases and aortic valve replacement in 43. All but three patients were followed up (97.6%). Postoperative echocardiography showed acceptable mitral area (2.28 +/- 0.39 cm2) and good valve competence in all cases. Inhospital mortality was 3% and late mortality 4.8%. During the follow-up period (22.8 +/- 10.9 months) 8 patients (6.6%) required mitral valve replacement because of progression of native valve disease (n = 4), technical failure (2) or expansion of the annuloplasty suture (2). Mitral annuloplasty thus can be performed simply and with good results, using a strong, non-stretchable buttressed suture. This procedure can be an inexpensive alternative to ring implantation.