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Early clinical results after stentless mitral valve implantation and comparison with conventional valve repair or replacement.

BACKGROUND: A new quadricusp stentless mitral bioprosthetic valve (QMV) is evaluated and compared with current standards. METHODS AND RESULTS: Since August 1997, 67 patients were prospectively evaluated: 23 patients received a QMV, 23 had mitral valve repair (MVR), and 21 received conventional mitral valve replacement (MVP). Patient age was 69+/-8, 64+/-10, and 62+/-9 years for QMV, MVR, and MVP treatment, respectively. The underlying pathology was mitral stenosis, incompetence, and mixed disease in a corresponding 8, 9, and 6 patients for QMV, 1, 22, and 0 patients for MVR, and 2, 12, and 7 patients for MVP. The papillary muscles were sufficient in all QMV cases to suspend the valve. Cross-clamp time was 59+/-19 minutes for QMV implantation. In-hospital mortality for QMV, MVR, and MVP was 1, 0, and 0 patients, respectively, and thoracotomy had to be performed again in 1, 1, and 2 patients, respectively (these outcomes were not valve related). At baseline transthoracic echocardiography, respective maximum flow velocities were 1.6, 1.4, and 1.7 m/s, and valve orifice area was 2.6, 3.5, and 3.4 cm(2). Mild transvalvular reflux was seen in 8, 7, and 2 patients; moderate reflux, in 1, 1, and 1 patients. Left ventricular ejection fraction was 52%, 54%, and 51% in the respective treatment groups. At follow-up, hemodynamic parameters had further improved in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: One year after clinical implantation, the QMV appears to function well and has no additional risks compared with MVR or MVP. The subvalvular apparatus is preserved by suspending the QMV at the papillary muscles; this arrangement is hemodynamically advantageous. Echocardiography reveals an excellent valve performance that resembles native mitral valve morphology and hemodynamic function. The QMV is a promising alternative for biological mitral valve replacement.

Aged↗

Early and late results of mitral valve repair for mitral valve regurgitation. Significant risk factors of reoperation.

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair for mitral valve regurgitation has many advantages over mitral valve replacement. However, durability and reoperation after mitral valve repair still remain major problems. We examined the outcome of mitral valve repair for mitral valve regurgitation and analyzed several pre- and intraoperative potential risk factors to determine the significant risk factors of reoperation. METHODS: From February 1981 to November 1996, 86 patients underwent mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation or combined mitral regurgitation and stenosis. The mean age was 53 years, and 88.4% were New York Heart Association class III or IV. The causes of mitral valve disease were degenerative disease in 53 patients, rheumatic disease in 15, infective endocarditis in 11, and ischemic disease in 7. There were 2 early and 8 late deaths. RESULTS: Actuarial overall survival including early death at 10 years was 83.2+/-6.1%, freedom from reoperation was 86.8+/-5.3%, freedom from thromboembolism was 90.9+/-6.2%, and freedom from infective endocarditis was 98.5+/-1.5%. There was no bleeding event. At the last follow-up, most patients were in New York Heart Association class I or II. Prolapse of anterior leaflet and rheumatic mitral regurgitation were identified as independent predictors for reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: The repair techniques for anterior leaflet prolapse and patient selection in rheumatic mitral disease are important for improving long-term results of mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation.

Adolescent↗

The homograft aortic valve: a 29-year, 99.3% follow up of 1,022 valve replacements.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to elucidate the advantages and limitations of the homograft aortic valve for aortic valve replacement over a 29-year period. METHODS: Between December 1969 and December 1998, 1,022 patients (males 65%; median age 49 years; range: 1-80 years) received either a subcoronary (n = 635), an intraluminal cylinder (n = 35), or a full root replacement (n = 352). There was a unique result of a 99.3% complete follow up at the end of this 29-year experience. Between 1969 and 1975, homografts were antibiotic-sterilized and 4 degrees C stored (124 grafts); thereafter, all homografts were cryopreserved under a rigid protocol with only minor variations over the subsequent 23 years. Concomitant surgery (25%) was primarily coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG; n = 110) and mitral valve surgery (n = 55). The most common risk factor was acute (active) endocarditis (n = 92; 9%), and patients were in NYHA class II (n = 515), III (n = 256), IV (n = 112) or V (n = 7). RESULTS: The 30-day/hospital mortality was 3% overall, falling to 1.13 +/- 1.0% for the 352 homograft root replacements. Actuarial late survival at 25 years of the total cohort was 19 +/- 7%. Early endocarditis occurred in two of the 1,022 patient cohort, and freedom from late infection (34 patients) actuarially at 20 years was 89%. One-third of these patients were medically cured of their endocarditis. Preservation methods (4 degrees C or cryopreservation) and implantation techniques displayed no difference in the overall actuarial 20-year incidence of late survival endocarditis, thromboembolism or structural degeneration requiring operation. Thromboembolism occurred in 55 patients (35 permanent, 20 transient) with an actuarial 15-year freedom in the 861 patients having aortic valve replacement +/- CABG surgery of 92% and in the 105 patients having additional mitral valve surgery of 75% (p = 0.000). Freedom from reoperation from all causes was 50% at 20 years and was independent of valve preservation. Freedom from reoperation for structural deterioration was very patient age-dependent. For all cryopreserved valves, at 15 years, the freedom was 47% (0-20-year-old patients at operation), 85% (21-40 years), 81% (41-60 years) and 94% (>60 years). Root replacement versus subcoronary implantation reduced the technical causes for reoperation and re-replacement (p = 0.0098). CONCLUSION: This largest, longest and most complete follow up demonstrates the excellent advantages of the homograft aortic valve for the treatment of acute endocarditis and for use in the 20+ year-old patient. However, young patients (< or = 20 years) experienced only a 47% freedom from reoperation from structural degeneration at 10 years such that alternative valve devices are indicated in this age group. The overall position of the homograft in relationship to other devices is presented.

Adolescent↗

Percutaneous implantation of a biological valve in the aorta to treat aortic valve insufficiency -- a sheep study.

BACKGROUND: Historically, the surgical implantation of a mechanical valve in the descending aorta permitted the reduction of regurgitant flow in chronic aortic insufficiency. Long term clinical results were excellent but with the development of the pump oxygenators, orthotopic valvar replacement has become the conventional treatment of aortic valve diseases. We wanted to reconsider the ectopic position in sheep using a new percutaneous technique. MATERIAL/METHODS: A biological valve harvested from a bovine jugular vein was sutured into a vascular stent. After the creation of a severe aortic insufficiency, the valved stent was percutaneously implanted according to standard stent placement techniques. Hemodynamic and angiographic evaluations were carried out during the procedure; finally, anatomic evaluation was performed. RESULTS: A severe aortic insufficiency was created in all animals (9/9). 3 had a single stent in the descending aorta and 3 had an additional stent in the brachiocephalic trunk. A control group of 3 animals had no valve implantation. One sheep had an additional valve implant because one overdilated stent had become insufficient. Early evaluation of the implanted valve function confirmed the perfect competence of 9 out of 10 valved stents. However, for unknown reasons all the animals died within 24 hours after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneously implanted valves in the thoracic aorta of sheep with massive aortic insufficiency function well in the acute study. In comparison to previous surgical results, this technique might become an alternative to surgery in patients with chronic aortic insufficiency in whom perioperative risks are high.

Animals↗

Bacterial endocarditis of systemic atrioventricular valve (tricuspid valve) in corrected transposition and its surgical treatment.

We describe a case of congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries (CCTGA). Tricuspid valve replacement was performed due to valve dysfunction following bacterial endocarditis. After two weeks' antibiotic therapy haemodynamic stabilisation was obtained and the patient was operated in the third week. On cardiopulmonary bypass with 28 degrees C degree systemic hypothermia, the left atrium was approached transeptally. At exploration, the systemic atrioventricular valve was tricuspid valve and pulmonary atrioventricular valve was in shape of a mitral valve. The posterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve was ruptured and vegetations above it were observed. The valve was excised and a 29 mm St-Jude mechanical heart valve prosthesis implanted using a teflon reinforced separated suture technique. After operation the patient recovered rapidly and following six weeks' antibiotic therapy, the patient was discharged.

Adult↗

[Intensity of tone and opening snap, and morphology of the bicuspid valve in patients with mitral valve disease].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between mitral valve morphology and amplitude of the first heart sound and the opening snap. The material consisted of 21 women and 19 men with mitral valve disease. They ranged in age from 24 to 56 years. 36 patients had pure or dominant mitral stenosis and 4 patients had combined mitral valve disease with dominant regurgitation. Phonocardiograms were recorded in all patients before mitral valve replacement. We analyzed the presence and the amplitude of opening snap and the amplitude of the first heart sound at the apex. The amplitude of the opening snap was expressed in mm and as a ratio to the maximal vibration of the second sound in the same cycle. The amplitude of the first sound was expressed in mm and as a ratio of the maximal vibration of the first sound to the maximal vibration of the first sound to the maximal vibration of the second sound in the same cycle. All amplitude measurements were made in 10 consecutive cardiac cycles and were then averaged. Then we studied all mitral valves removed in a uniform manner by one surgeon. Excised valves were fixed in 5% solution of formaline. The extent of calcification was determined by radiographs (fig. 1). The mitral valve area and calcification area were estimated by planimetry of radiographs. Then we analyzed the localization of calcification and we calculated the ratio of calcification area to valve area. Valves were divided into three groups according to the degree of the fusion of subvalvular structures ("a funnel") (fig. 2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Valve reconstruction for mitral regurgitation secondary to mitral valve prolapse].

This study was performed to evaluate the late results of mitral valve replacement for isolated mitral regurgitation and the early results of mitral valve reconstruction for mitral regurgitation secondary to mitral valve prolapse. Between January 1974 and March 1989, 106 patients underwent isolated mitral valve replacement for mitral regurgitation. There were 54 male and 52 female patients ranging in age at operation from 22 to 76 years (average: 50.2 years). Mitral valve replacement with the Carpentier-Edwards bioprosthesis was performed in 55 patients and with the Björk-Shiley disc valve in 51 patients. The follow-up period ranged from four to 182 months with a mean of 64 months. There were three hospital deaths (2.8%). The actuarial survival including hospital deaths were 94.0% at five years and 89.3% at 10 years. The event-free rate was 75.5% at five years and 51.8% at 10 years. There was no significant differences in these results between two prosthetic valve groups. Because of high incidence of prosthetic valve-related events, mitral valve reconstruction for mitral regurgitation was performed in recent two years. Twenty patients had mitral reconstructive surgery. There were 11 male and nine female patients ranging in age at operation from 22 to 70 years (average: 54.4 years). Two had elongated chordae and 18 had torn chordae (anterior leaflet; four cases, posterior leaflet; 14 cases). There was no hospital and late death. One had reoperation because of severe hemolysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Valve replacement in the elderly. Is the mechanical valve a good alternative?

The controversy surrounding the choice of a prosthesis for valve replacement in the elderly patient prompted me to review the performance of mechanical (Medtronic Hall [Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.] and St. Jude Medical [St. Jude Medical, Inc., St. Paul, Minn.]) valves implanted in 213 patients 65 years and older (mean 70.4 years) from 1980 to 1985. There were 63 mitral, 131 aortic, and 19 double (aortic and mitral) valve replacements. Most patients undergoing aortic valve replacement had stenotic lesions, but half of the patients in the mitral valve replacement group had regurgitation with or without stenosis. Early mortality rates for mitral, aortic, and double valve replacement were 4.8%, 6.1%, and 21.1%, respectively (p less than 0.01). The mortality rate for patients 65 to 74 years old was 6.5% and that for those older than 75 years was 9.1%. The cumulative follow-up for the survivors was 850 patient-years. The late mortality rate was 8.1% per patient-year but was valve-related in only 1.3% per patient-year. Noncardiac causes accounted for 43.5% of the late deaths. The late mortality rate was significantly higher in patients who had regurgitant lesions than in those who had stenotic or mixed disease. It was also higher in the older patients (10.3% per patient-year) than in the younger group (7.6% per patient-year; p less than 0.05). Reoperation was required in only six patients (0.7% per patient-year). Thrombotic obstruction of the prosthesis and systemic thromboembolism occurred at linearized rates of 0.6% per patient-year and 2.5% per patient year, respectively, and significant anticoagulant-related hemorrhage at a rate of 0.6% per patient-year. With the exception of late mortality, the incidence of all late complications was similar to that of patients younger than 65 years operated on during the same period. Actuarially, global survival (58% +/- 4%) and freedom from reoperation (95% +/- 2%), from thrombotic obstruction (96% +/- 1%), from thromboembolism (92% +/- 2%), from all valve-related mortality and morbidity (82% +/- 3%), and from valve failure (93% +/- 2%) were also similar to those of the younger patients. Mechanical prostheses perform well in elderly patients. I could not confirm an increase in thromboembolic or hemorrhagic episodes, and the respective mortality and morbidity indexes were similar to those observed in younger patients.

Age Factors↗

[Long-term follow-up of aortic or mitral valve replacement. Comparison of results following implantation of a mechanical or biological artificial valve].

The prognosis of valvular heart disease is favorably influenced by surgical treatment in spite of the possible incurrence of early or late postoperative complications. The hemodynamic properties of currently implanted bioprostheses and mechanical prostheses are essentially similar. It can be assumed that the fate of the patient, after having survived the early-postoperative phase, is predominantly dependent on the underlying disease and on complications of the prosthetic valve, itself, or the inherent necessity for chronic anticoagulation. To characterize the longterm course more closely, in this study in patients with prosthetic aortic or mitral valves, analysis of the survival rate as well as incidence of valvular dysfunction, late endocarditis, thromboembolism and bleeding associated with anticoagulant therapy was performed separately for patients with Björk-Shiley prostheses and for those with bioprostheses. The study encompasses 407 patients after isolated aortic valve replacement, 226 with Björk-Shiley prosthesis and 181 with bioprosthesis, as well as 269 patients after isolated mitral valve replacement, 142 with Björk-Shiley prosthesis and 127 with bioprosthesis (Table 2). All patients had valve replacement between 1975 and 1983 which was performed in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the German Heart Center in Munich under comparable conditions, since 1977 with employment of cardioplegia. The preoperative characteristics of the groups compared did not differ significantly from each other (Table 1). Continuous follow-up was obtained in 95% of the patients. The mean observation period of all four compared patient groups ranged between 52.1 and 61.3 months. The term "major complication" was used to designate late-postoperative death, hemodynamic derangement due to prosthetic dysfunction, late endocarditis as well as major thromboembolism or bleeding. Prosthetic dysfunction in the case of Björk-Shiley valves was designated as mechanical or due to thrombosis, in the case of bioprostheses as valve degeneration or thrombosis. Late endocarditis was diagnosed only on documentation of - with a minimum interval of 30 days between valve implantation and onset of symptoms - changes in auscultatory findings and a morphological substrate on the implanted valve. Thromboembolism was assumed, after ruling out bleeding, only if a definitive or highly-probable transient or permanent neurologic deficit or a well-established suspicion of acute ischemia in an extremity or visceral organ was present. A bleeding complication was considered as such only if treatment by a physician was required.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

The Damus-Stansel-Kaye procedure. Should the aortic valve or subaortic valve region be closed?

Two patients (one with transposition of the great arteries and another with Taussig-Bing anomaly) underwent the Damus-Stansel-Kaye procedure (Group I). Significant aortic valve insufficiency developed postoperatively in both patients. In contrast, seven patients with a univentricular heart and subaortic stenosis from a variety of reasons underwent creation of an aortopulmonary window (Group II), a procedure very similar to the proximal main pulmonary artery-aortic root anastomosis of the Damus-Stansel-Kaye procedure. Aortic valve insufficiency had not developed after up to 7 years of follow-up in this group (average 43 months). Postoperative angiograms suggest that aortic valve incompetence in Group I may have been caused by prolapse of the aortic valve. The valvular structures are subjected to high systolic pressures and face a dilated, low-pressure right ventricle. Aortic root distortion may have contributed, as well. In Group II patients, the aortic valve structures face a small, thick-walled chamber. The orientation of the aortic valve vis-a-vis the right ventricle changed postoperatively in Group I but not in Group II patients. Our experience suggests that the aortic valve or subaortic valve region should be closed at the initial repair in patients with low pulmonary vascular resistance who are undergoing the Damus-Stansel-Kaye procedure, to minimize the need for reoperation for aortic valve insufficiency.

Aorta↗

Comparative analysis of isolated aortic valve replacement with fascia lata and homograft valves.

Thirty-eight consecutive patients who underwent isolated replacement of the aortic valve with fascia lata in 1970 were compared with a similar series of patients undergoing homograft replacement of the aortic valve. These series were well matched in number, age sex of patients, symptomatology, valvular disease, electrocardiographic and roentegenographic changes, and preoperative cardiac catheterization data. The mean follow-up time was 73 months in the fascia lata series and 69.1 months in the homograft series, and all the post-operative survivors were reviewed. The early and long-term results were similar of the two series, and there was no statistical difference in the operative and late mortality, the incidence of early and late diastolic murmurs, valve failure necessitating valve replacement, infective endocarditis, thromboembolism, over-all survival, and survival with an intact valve. It is concluded that the long-term results of valve replacement using these two tissues, in the aortic position, are similar and there is little to choose between the two types of valves. If fascia lata, as we believe, is no longer acceptable as a satisafactory valve substitute, then homograft valves are not acceptable either.

Adolescent↗

Comparative evaluation of mitral valve repair and replacement with Starr, Björk, and porcine valve prostheses.

Four hundred consecutive patients with isolated mitral valve disease who were operated on between 1974 and 1977 underwent long-term evaluation. In this group there were 100 valve repairs, 100 porcine valves, 100 Starr valves, and 100 Björk valves. There were no significant differences in the preoperative clinical conditions of the patients in the four groups. Cumulative follow-up was 2058 patient-years. We concluded from the data that mitral valve repair was associated with fewer valve-related complications than valve replacement. Thromboembolism was the most significant parameter with respect to determining long-term results of the use of the porcine, Starr, and Björk valve prostheses.

Actuarial Analysis↗

[Mitral valve replacement by mechanical disk valve. A surgical alternative].

From July to December 1993, 10 patients underwent mitral valve replacement with mechanical disc valve and running suture, preserving the posterior mitral valve apparatus. There were 6 men and 4 women, with a mean age of 44.2 years (25 to 63 years old). Three patients were in functional class II of the NYHA, 5 in functional class III and 2 in functional class IV. Eight patients were operated on for simple mitral valve replacement, of which, 2 underwent the first replacement 4 the second replacement and 2 the third replacement. One patient underwent double valve replacement (mitral and aortic valves) plus "bicuspidization" of the tricuspid valve and one patient underwent myocardial revascularization with two grafts of reverse saphenous vein besides mitral valve replacement. We used cardiopulmonary bypass in all patients with moderate hypothermia at 28 degrees and cardiac protection with cold cardioplegia at 4 degrees with potassium. One to 2 dosis of cardioplegia were required. Aortic cross clamping time was 37 minutes and 64 minutes of cardiopulmonary bypass in the patients operated on of simple mitral valve replacement. Supported by these preliminary results, we conclude that this surgical alternative is effective and safe with less ischemic and cardiopulmonary bypass time, preserve the posterior mitral apparatus and avoid disc jamming by the residual leaflet or tendinous chordae.

Adult↗

Randomized, prospective assessment of bioprosthetic valve durability. Hancock versus Carpentier-Edwards valves.

BACKGROUND: Although the major limitation of porcine valves is their finite durability, no controlled clinical data exist regarding the relative durability of the two porcine bioprostheses implanted most commonly today, the Carpentier-Edwards (C-E) and Medtronic Hancock I (H) valves. METHODS AND RESULTS: To assess this question, 174 patients undergoing aortic (AVR) or mitral (MVR) valve replacement with a bioprosthesis between March 1980 and March 1982 were randomized to receive either a C-E or a H valve. There were 102 AVRs (54 C-E and 48 H) and 74 MVRs (39 C-E and 35 H). For both the AVR and MVR cohorts, the average patient age was 58 +/- 14 years (+/- SD). The male/female ratio was 2.2:1 for AVR and 0.57:1 for MVR. Clinical follow-up was undertaken periodically; the most recent follow-up closing interval was July through October 1992, and current follow-up was 96% complete. Cumulative follow-up totaled 1369 patient-years (mean, 7.7 +/- 3.6 years; median, 9.1 years; maximum, 12.0 years). The main focus of this analysis was bioprosthetic durability, using the AATS/STS guidelines defining "Structural Valve Deterioration" (SVD). Multivariate analysis revealed that (younger) age was the only significant (P = .024) independent predictor of SVD. Valve manufacturer (C-E versus H) and valve site (aortic versus mitral) did not emerge as significant independent risk factors for SVD. Actuarial rates (Cutler-Ederer) expressed as percent free of SVD (+/- SEM) at 10 years (n = number of patients remaining at risk) were 71 +/- 7% and 59 +/- 9% for the C-E (n = 26) and H (n = 17) groups, respectively, for the AVR cohort; for the MVR cohort, these estimates were 60 +/- 10% (n = 12) and 72 +/- 10% (n = 11), respectively, but these differences were not statistically significant (P = NS, Lee-Desu). CONCLUSIONS: After 10 years, there was no statistically significant difference in durability or other valve-related complications between the H and C-E aortic or mitral valves. Based on current information, the choice of a porcine bioprosthesis should be based on factors other than durability, including ease of implantation, hemodynamic performance, and cost.

Aortic Valve↗

[Prosthetic valve endocarditis after double valve replacement].

This is a report of a patient who underwent re-AVR due to prosthetic valve endocarditis after double valve replacement (MVR, AVR). A 54-year-old female was admitted to other hospital on April 14, 1990, because of high fever, progressive anemia, and cardiomegaly. The patient was hospitalized to our department urgently with the diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis. Arterial blood culture grew methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. Echocardiography showed a vegetation at the disc of the mechanical valve in the mitral position, but we could not find any vegetation or thrombus there at the reoperation, and the aortic mechanical valve seemed to be intact. Signs of inflammation continued to be positive after reoperation. On the 33rd hospital day, a diastolic murmur was heard, and emergency cardiac catheterization was done. Detachment of the prosthetic aortic valve and rupture of the sinus of Valsalva due to mycotic aneurysm, and the dissection of the aorta had occurred. We performed re-AVR and replacement of the ascending aorta. The patient died of multiple organ failure following drug-induced hepatic failure. It is suggestive that we missed the prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis during the reoperation. Our thoughts and introspections on the echocardiographic diagnosis of the prosthetic valve endocarditis after double valve replacement were discussed.

Aneurysm, Infected↗

[Value and limitations of valve resistance in assessing prosthetic aortic valve function: clinical study using dobutamine stress doppler echocardiography].

Hemodynamic resistance may be a useful index for the severity of valvular aortic stenosis, but little is known about the utility of valve resistance in assessing the prosthetic aortic valve function. This study investigated whether valve resistance is useful in assessing prosthetic valve function in 13 patients with normally functioning CarboMedics prosthetic aortic valves. Transvalvular pressure gradient, effective orifice area and valve resistance derived from two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography were calculated before and after dobutamine infusion. Dobutamine was infused incrementally (3-12 micrograms/kg/min) under echocardiographic imaging. Transvalvular pressure gradient (24 +/- 7-->53 +/- 18 mmHg, p < 0.01) and valve resistance (102 +/- 32-->140 +/- 57 dynes.sec.cm-5, p < 0.01) significantly increased after dobutamine infusion. However, effective orifice area did not increase significantly (1.1 +/- 0.5-->1.2 +/- 0.5 cm2). These findings indicate that transvalvular pressure gradient and valve resistance are flow-dependent and should be treated with caution when assessing prosthetic valve function.

Adult↗

Double valve replacement with the Carpentier-Edwards pericardial valve: 10-year results.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY: The first generation of pericardial valves was withdrawn from the market because of an excessive rate of premature failure. With an original design, the Carpentier-Edwards pericardial valve promised improved results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 1984 to December 1993, 71 patients underwent double mitral and aortic valve replacement with the Carpentier-Edwards pericardial valve. Mean age was 63.4 years. 58% were male, mean clinical status was 2.9 with 71% of patients in NYHA class III or IV, 55% were in atrial fibrillation. All patients were followed for an average of 4.17 years after their operation, and total follow up was 296 patients years. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 7% (5/71). At this point of the study, 70% of patients are in clinical NYHA class I or II, 42% of patients are in atrial fibrillation and 66% receive anticoagulation treatment. We observed 19 late deaths with an actuarial survival of 58% +/- 14% at ten years. Valve-related complications include four endocarditis, four reoperations, seven anticoagulant-related hemorrhages, two structural failures, one thromboembolic episode, and one sudden death. Two patients died of valve-related causes. After 10 years, freedom from valve related death is 97% +/- 3%, from endocarditis 90% +/- 8%, from reoperation 87% +/- 10%, from thromboembolic complications 98% +/- 2%, from valve failure 93% +/- 7%, and freedom from all complications is 58% +/- 18%. No failure in patients older than 60 years was noted and no leaflet tear was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The 10-year results of this pericardial bioprosthesis make this valve an outstanding choice when a bioprosthesis is required and in patients over 60 years old.

Adult↗

Mitral valve repair combined with aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY: Combined aortic and mitral valve replacement continues to result in significant morbidity and mortality. Although mitral repair has improved the results of mitral valve surgery, its influence on combined aortic valve replacement has not been assessed. METHODS: We reviewed 38 consecutive patients who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) and mitral repair (MR) between 1985 and 1995. The average age was 57 years; 20 were men and 18 women. Nineteen patients were considered high risk: six had previous cardiac surgery, three were on chronic dialysis, two required emergency surgery for low output syndrome, one had a chronic tracheotomy for chronic lung disease, and seven had left ventricular ejection fraction < 30%. MR consisted of ring application alone in 28 patients, chordal shortening in nine, posterior leaflet transfer in six and posterior leaflet resection in four. AVR was accomplished with 21 bioprostheses, 14 mechanical and three allograft valves. The mean (+/-SD) cross-clamp time was 133 +/- 41 min. Additional procedures included coronary bypass in six patients and tricuspid procedures in three. RESULTS: There were no operative deaths. Six patients died between 4 and 73 months postoperatively. Patient survival was 75% five and 67% 10 years after surgery. The causes of death were heart failure (two cases), and respiratory failure, drug overdose, electrolyte imbalance and unknown (one each). Logistic risk analysis was significant for females and rheumatic valve disease, bacterial endocarditis, and degenerated valve patients. During follow up there were no valve failures or endocarditis, but three embolic episodes occurred without permanent sequel. CONCLUSIONS: With increased surgical expertise, improved myocardial protection of MR combined with AVR offers excellent short- and long-term results, optimal chordal preservation, no valve failure and no endocarditis; it is the ideal choice where anti-coagulation is contraindicated. The prolonged cross-clamp time was well tolerated.

Aortic Valve↗