Mitral valve reconstruction.

Modern repair techniques allow reconstruction rather than replacement of the mitral valve (MV) in the majority of patients requiring operation. Such patients are now older and more likely to have nonrheumatic MV disease than those treated in former years. A continuing experience with MV reconstruction was reviewed to determine its safety and efficacy. In 50 patients undergoing isolated MV reconstructions, there have been no postoperative deaths. In 36 patients undergoing mitral reconstruction combined with other cardiac procedures, there have been 5 deaths (14%). Three patients have required MV replacement for an inadequate repair as determined by evaluation during the repair or by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) following cardiopulmonary bypass. Overall complications have included five reoperations for bleeding, two perioperative myocardial infarctions, two strokes, and one aortic dissection. The majority of patients maintain an improved functional state after operation. Multiple reconstructive maneuvers are now available, and the elements of any given reconstruction depend on the pathoanatomy of the valve. Intraoperative TEE has been invaluable in planning, evaluating, and modifying repairs. At present, over 70% of all MV operations are reconstructions, and the most common recent indication for MV replacement is a malfunctioning prosthetic MV rather than native valve disease.