Gwan Sic Kim1, Chee Hoon Lee1, Joon Bum Kim1, Sung-Ho Jung1, Suk Jung Choo1, Cheol Hyun Chung1, Jae Won Lee2. 1. Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jwlee@amc.seoul.kr.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The data on echocardiographic evaluation of mitral durability after rheumatic mitral repair is scarce. METHODS: A total of 193 patients (mean age, 39.4 ± 12.8 years; 154 females) who underwent mitral valve repair for rheumatic valve disease from 1997 to 2010 were included in the study. A Maze operation was performed in 90.3% (n = 102) of the patients with atrial fibrillation (n = 113). Survival, valve-related complications, and echocardiographic data were evaluated. RESULTS: Mitral regurgitation was the predominant disease in 75.6% of patients (n = 146). There was one early death (0.5%) . During the mean follow-up period of 76.7 ± 45.6 months, there were 9 late deaths and 5 mitral reoperations. Valve-related, event-free survival at 10 years was 85.5% ± 3.3%. In serial postoperative echocardiographic evaluations (mean follow-up duration, 53.7 ± 43.5 months), 40 patients showed either mitral regurgitation (>mild; n = 31) or mitral stenosis (mitral valve area ≤1.5 cm(2); n = 9). At 10 years, 66.4% ± 5.4% of the patients did not have moderate to severe mitral dysfunction. By multivariate analysis, no Maze operation for atrial fibrillation was an independent predictor of mitral dysfunctions (hazard ratio, 3.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.47-9.42; P = .005), whereas the presence of hypertension had borderline significance (hazard ratio, 3.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-10.38; P = .059). CONCLUSIONS: Although rheumatic mitral repair showed excellent long-term clinical outcomes, a significant proportion of patients experienced moderate to severe mitral dysfunctions postoperatively. Atrial fibrillation without a Maze procedure increased significantly the risks of mitral dysfunctions and adverse outcomes. Therefore, routine performance of a Maze procedure is warranted in the presence of atrial fibrillation whenever possible.
OBJECTIVE: The data on echocardiographic evaluation of mitral durability after rheumatic mitral repair is scarce. METHODS: A total of 193 patients (mean age, 39.4 ± 12.8 years; 154 females) who underwent mitral valve repair for rheumatic valve disease from 1997 to 2010 were included in the study. A Maze operation was performed in 90.3% (n = 102) of the patients with atrial fibrillation (n = 113). Survival, valve-related complications, and echocardiographic data were evaluated. RESULTS:Mitral regurgitation was the predominant disease in 75.6% of patients (n = 146). There was one early death (0.5%) . During the mean follow-up period of 76.7 ± 45.6 months, there were 9 late deaths and 5 mitral reoperations. Valve-related, event-free survival at 10 years was 85.5% ± 3.3%. In serial postoperative echocardiographic evaluations (mean follow-up duration, 53.7 ± 43.5 months), 40 patients showed either mitral regurgitation (>mild; n = 31) or mitral stenosis (mitral valve area ≤1.5 cm(2); n = 9). At 10 years, 66.4% ± 5.4% of the patients did not have moderate to severe mitral dysfunction. By multivariate analysis, no Maze operation for atrial fibrillation was an independent predictor of mitral dysfunctions (hazard ratio, 3.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.47-9.42; P = .005), whereas the presence of hypertension had borderline significance (hazard ratio, 3.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-10.38; P = .059). CONCLUSIONS: Although rheumatic mitral repair showed excellent long-term clinical outcomes, a significant proportion of patients experienced moderate to severe mitral dysfunctions postoperatively. Atrial fibrillation without a Maze procedure increased significantly the risks of mitral dysfunctions and adverse outcomes. Therefore, routine performance of a Maze procedure is warranted in the presence of atrial fibrillation whenever possible.