As originally published in 1988: Long-term results of mitral valve surgery in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension. Updated in 1996.

Mitral valve surgery was performed in 88 patients with severe pulmonary hypertension (average systolic pulmonary artery pressure, 94.7 +/- 22 mm Hg; range, 70-180 mm Hg) over a 10-year period. Sixty-four patients (73%) were in New York Heart Association Functional Class III or IV. There were 64 valve replacements and 24 open mitral commissurotomies. Operative mortality was 5.6% (5 patients) and was not related to the degree of pulmonary hypertension, surgical procedure performed, or type of valve lesion. A 100% follow-up was obtained, ranging from nine months to 10 years, with a mean of 44 months. Six late cardiac deaths (7.2%) occurred, 5 in patients with valve replacement and 1 in a patient who underwent a commissurotomy. Actuarial survival was 86 +/- 3% at five years and 83 +/- 4% at 10 years. Fourteen patients underwent right ventricular catheterization a mean of 24 months following operation. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure had decreased from a mean preoperative value of 101 +/- 22 to 40.5 +/- 7 mm Hg (p < 0.001). Cardiac index increased by 55% of the preoperative values. Functional status improved markedly; 71 survivors (93%) were in New York Heart Association Class I or II. These results indicate that, in patients with mitral valve lesions and severe pulmonary hypertension, (1) surgical procedures can be performed with an acceptable operative mortality; (2) excellent long-term survival and functional results can be obtained; and (3) pulmonary hypertension decreases significantly after operation. Patients with mitral valve disease may benefit from surgical treatment regardless of the degree of pulmonary hypertension.