[Mitral valve surgery in patients with extensively calcified mitral annulus: long-term echocardiographic and clinical follow-up].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was the analysis of long-term results in patients with hemodynamically significant mitral valve disease due to extensively calcified mitral annulus who underwent decalcification and patch reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1996 and 2008 a total of 109 patients underwent surgery for extensive calcification and severe mitral insufficiency and mitral stenosis. The mean age of the patients (65 women and 44 men) was 66.4 ± 13.8 years. In 53 patients (49%) mitral valve repair was performed and the remaining 56 patients (51%) received a mitral valve replacement. Of the patients 64 (59%) required concomitant surgery. The mean follow up time was 96 ± 48 months.
RESULTS: The in-hospital and late mortality was 8.3% (9 patients) and 25.6% (28 patients), respectively. The actuarial survival rates at 5, 8 and 12 years were 88.1%, 76.2% and 66.1%, respectively. Echocardiographic follow-up presented a mitral insufficiency grade III in 4 patients (6%). None of the patients had a mitral insufficiency grade IV. A significant reduction of left atrium diameter, of the LVEDD as well as the mean transvalvular gradient was observed. Freedom from reoperation at 5 and 8 years was 96.4% and 91.8%, respectively. Systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, age older than 65 years, concomitant aortic valve replacement, concomitant procedures, chronic renal insufficiency and cardiac decompensation in the medical history were found to be predictors for significantly increased early or late mortality.
CONCLUSION: The long-term results strongly suggest that en bloc decalcification and patch reconstruction of the mitral annulus can be safely undertaken in high risk patients.