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Background: Concomitant surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) at the time of mitral valve surgery is a Society of Thoracic Surgeons Class IA recommendation with evidence from randomized trial data. We hypothesized that concomitant AF ablation rates have increased over time with implementation of this evidence-based practice., Methods: All patients (N = 7261) undergoing mitral valve operations (2011-2018) were queried from a regional Society of Thoracic Surgeons database. Patients with preoperative AF were stratified by concomitant AF ablation. Trends in concomitant ablation were evaluated over time as well as by center and surgeon mitral surgical volume. The associations between patient and center factors on implementation of concomitant ablation were assessed with multivariate regression., Results: A total of 1675 patients with preoperative AF underwent isolated mitral valve operations, with 1044 (64.6%) undergoing concomitant ablation. The utilization of concomitant ablation decreased over the study period (-2.82%/year), and was strongly associated with surgeon mitral valve volume (high 78.2% vs medium 62.5% vs low 59.0%; P < .001). Multivariate regression demonstrated age and comorbidities were strong predictors, but high volume mitral surgeons (odds ratio [OR], 2.2; P < .001) were twice as likely to perform concomitant AF ablation. Finally, patients with preoperative AF undergoing ablation were significantly less likely to be in AF at discharge (10.1% vs 53.8%; P < .001)., Conclusions: Despite increasing evidence and societal recommendations, we demonstrate a persistent underutilization of concomitant AF ablation during isolated mitral surgery across a large number of low-volume and high-volume centers. These data suggest significant variability and may represent an opportunity for improvement., (Copyright © 2021 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) occurs in the absence of organic mitral valve disease and may develop as the left ventricle dilates or remodels or as a result of leaflet tethering with impaired coaptation, most commonly from apical and lateral distraction of the subvalvular apparatus, with late annular dilatation. The optimal therapy for SMR is unclear. This study sought to evaluate the 1-year adjudicated outcomes of all patients with SMR undergoing the MitraClip procedure in the EVEREST II (Endovascular Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair Study) Investigational Device Exemption program, which is comprised of the randomized clinical trial, the prospective High-Risk Registry, and the REALISM Continued Access Registry (Multicenter Study of the MitraClip System)., Methods: Patients with 3+/4+ SMR enrolled in EVEREST II were stratified by non-high surgical risk (non-HR) and high surgical risk (HR) status (defined as Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk of mortality ≥12% or predefined risk factors). Clinical, echocardiographic, and functional outcomes at 1 year were evaluated., Results: A total of 616 patients (482 HR, 134 non-HR; mean age, 73.3±10.5 years; Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk, 10.2±6.9%) with SMR underwent the MitraClip procedure. At baseline, 80.5% of patients were in New York Heart Association class III/IV. Major adverse events at 30 days included death (3.6%), stroke (2.3%), and renal failure (1.5%). At discharge, 88.8% had MR ≤2+. At 1 year, there were 139 deaths, and the Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from mortality was 76.8%. The majority of surviving patients (84.7%) remained with MR ≤2+ and New York Heart Association class I/II (83.0%). Kaplan-Meier survival at 1 year was 74.1% in HR patients and 86.4% in non-HR patients ( P=0.0175). At 1 year, both groups achieved comparable MR reduction (MR ≤2+, 84.0% versus 87.0%) and improvement in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (-8.0 mL versus -12.7 mL), whereas New York Heart Association class I/II was found in 80.1% versus 91.8% ( P=0.008) of HR and non-HR patients, respectively. In HR patients, the annualized rate of heart failure hospitalizations decreased from 0.68 to 0.46 in the 12 months before to 12 months after the procedure ( P<0.0001)., Conclusions: Transcatheter mitral valve repair with the MitraClip in patients with secondary MR is associated with acceptable safety, reduction of MR severity, symptom improvement, and positive ventricular remodeling., Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifiers: NCT00209274, NCT01940120, and NCT01931956.

Objectives: Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (mini-MVR) has numerous associated benefits. However, many studies fail to include greater-risk patients. We hypothesized that a minimally invasive approach in a representative cohort provides excellent outcomes with reduced resource utilization., Methods: Mitral valve surgical records from 2011 to 2016 were paired with institutional financial records. Patients were stratified by approach and propensity-score matched to balance preoperative difference. The primary outcomes of interest were resource utilization including cost, discharge to a facility, and readmission., Results: A total of 478 patients underwent mitral surgery (21% mini-MVR) and were balanced after matching (n = 74 per group), with 18% of patients having nondegenerative mitral disease. Outcomes were excellent with similar rates of major morbidity (9.5% mini-MVR vs 10.8% conventional, P = .78). Mini-MVR cases had lower rates of transfusion (11% vs 27%, P = .01) and shorter ventilator times (3.7 vs 6.0 hours, P < .0001). Mean total hospital cost was equivalent ($49,703 vs $54,970, P = .235) with mini-MVR having lower ancillary ($1645 vs $2652, P = .001) and blood costs ($383 vs $1058, P = .001). These savings were offset by longer surgical times (291 vs 234 minutes, P < .0001) with greater surgical ($7645 vs $7293, P = .0001) and implant costs ($1148 vs $748, P = .03). Rates of discharge to a facility (9.6% vs 16.2%) and readmission (9.6% vs 4.1%) were not statistically different., Conclusions: In a real-world cohort, mini-MVR continues to demonstrate excellent results with a favorable resource utilization profile. Greater surgical and implant costs with mini-MVR are offset by decreased transfusions and ancillary needs leading to equivalent overall hospital cost., (Copyright © 2018 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Data suggest that redo mitral valve surgery is being performed in increasing numbers, possibly with superior results according to single-centre studies. The purpose of this study is to describe outcomes of redo mitral valve surgery and identify risk-adjusted predictors of poor outcomes., Methods: All (11 973) open mitral valve cases were evaluated (2002-2016) from a regional Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS) database. Patients were stratified by primary versus redo mitral valve surgery. Mixed effects logistic regression models including hospital as a random effect were used to identify risk factors for patients undergoing redo mitral valve surgery., Results: Of all mitral valve cases, 1096 (9.7%) had a previous mitral operation. Redo patients had higher rates of valve replacement and preoperative comorbidities resulting in more complications, operative mortalities (11.1%vs6.5%, p<0.0001) and higher resource utilisation. Several factors independently increased risk for composite STS major morbidity and 30-day mortality, including cardiogenic shock (OR 10.3, p=0.0001), severe tricuspid insufficiency (OR 2.3, p=0.001), urgent/emergent status (OR 1.8, p=0.001) and concurrent coronary artery bypass grafting (OR 2.4, p=0.002). The volume of redo mitral valve surgery increased 10% per year and the observed-to-expected ratios (O/E) for operative mortality in redo mitral surgery improved from 1.44 early in the study period to 0.72 in the most recent era., Conclusions: Redo mitral valve surgery accounts for approximately 10% of mitral valve operations and is associated with increased risk and resource utilisation. However, as the volume of redo mitral surgery increases, outcomes have dramatically improved and are now better than predicted., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.)

Background: Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (mini-MVR) has grown in popularity. Although single centers have reported excellent outcomes, data on real-world outcomes and costs of mini-MVR are limited. Moreover, mini-MVR has been criticized as adding additional cost without clear benefit. We hypothesized that mini-MVR provides superior outcomes with incremental increased costs in a multi-institutional cohort., Methods: Records for patients undergoing mitral valve surgical procedures with or without atrial ablation from 2011 to 2014 were extracted from a multi-institutional, regional Society of Thoracic Surgeons database and stratified according to right chest approach/minimally invasive or conventional sternotomy. Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting or other concomitant procedures were excluded. Patients undergoing isolated mitral surgical procedure were propensity matched according to factors, including age, comorbidities, and preoperative laboratory values; clinical outcomes and cost differences were assessed by approach., Results: A total of 1,304 patients underwent mitral operations, including 425 (32.6%) by minimally invasive approach. In the propensity-matched analysis (n = 355 per group), patients undergoing mini-MVR had similar rates of mortality, stroke, and other complications compared with conventional MVR. Meanwhile, patients with mini-MVR experienced shorter intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay and fewer transfusions. Importantly, total hospital costs were no different between the two matched groups., Conclusions: Compared with conventional sternotomy, mini-MVR in the "real world" demonstrated no differences in rates of major morbidity, but it was associated with shorter length of stay and fewer transfusions. Contrary to our hypothesis, mini-MVR can be performed with similar total hospital costs as conventional sternotomy. In summary, minimally invasive mitral surgical procedure in select patients can provide superior outcomes without increased cost., (Copyright © 2016 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The long-term evolution of coexistent mitral regurgitation (MR) after aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis remains poorly defined. Prior studies have demonstrated that acute improvement in MR after AVR is modest, and more aggressive approaches have been advocated. This study examines the evolution of MR after AVR and identifies prognostic indicators for MR improvement., Methods: We retrospectively evaluated demographic and echocardiographic data of 423 patients who underwent primary isolated AVR for aortic stenosis with coexistent mild (n = 314) or moderate (n = 109) MR at our institution, from 2004 to 2013. For each patient, preoperative and postoperative MR was extracted from 903 echocardiograms and graded on a 0 to 4+ scale. Hierarchic linear models were used to estimate postoperative residual MR over a 5-year follow-up period. Patients were then stratified by improvement in MR, and preoperative risk factors and survival were compared between groups. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the association between survival and preoperative and postoperative MR., Results: The overall acute reduction in MR was -0.23 degrees per patient. Patients with moderate MR had a -0.53 degree reduction in MR, whereas patients with mild MR had only a -0.13 degree reduction in MR (P < .001). Residual MR, however, worsened over time and regressed back to baseline, particularly in patients with preoperative moderate MR. At last follow-up, 70 (17%) patients returned to 2+ or worse MR. Residual MR at last echocardiographic follow-up was not affected by left ventricular ejection fraction, severity of preoperative aortic valve gradient (AVG), magnitude of reduction of AVG, or other comorbidities. Degree of preoperative MR did not affect midterm survival. Patients whose MR improved after AVR demonstrated a trend toward improved survival (75% vs 65% 5-year survival; P = .06), compared with those without MR whose survival remained unchanged or worsened., Conclusions: Coexistent MR modestly improves after AVR, but eventually regresses back to baseline or worsens over time in many patients. Preoperative AVG, reduction of AVG, heart failure, or atrial fibrillation was not predictive of residual MR. Moderate preoperative MR did not adversely affect 5-year survival. Patients with improvement in MR, however, demonstrated a trend toward improved survival at 5 years. More aggressive approaches for coexistent moderate MR should be considered in patients who need AVR for aortic stenosis., (Copyright © 2016 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: In a randomized trial comparing mitral-valve repair with mitral-valve replacement in patients with severe ischemic mitral regurgitation, we found no significant difference in the left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI), survival, or adverse events at 1 year after surgery. However, patients in the repair group had significantly more recurrences of moderate or severe mitral regurgitation. We now report the 2-year outcomes of this trial., Methods: We randomly assigned 251 patients to mitral-valve repair or replacement. Patients were followed for 2 years, and clinical and echocardiographic outcomes were assessed., Results: Among surviving patients, the mean (±SD) 2-year LVESVI was 52.6±27.7 ml per square meter of body-surface area with mitral-valve repair and 60.6±39.0 ml per square meter with mitral-valve replacement (mean changes from baseline, -9.0 ml per square meter and -6.5 ml per square meter, respectively). Two-year mortality was 19.0% in the repair group and 23.2% in the replacement group (hazard ratio in the repair group, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.46 to 1.35; P=0.39). The rank-based assessment of LVESVI at 2 years (incorporating deaths) showed no significant between-group difference (z score=-1.32, P=0.19). The rate of recurrence of moderate or severe mitral regurgitation over 2 years was higher in the repair group than in the replacement group (58.8% vs. 3.8%, P<0.001). There were no significant between-group differences in rates of serious adverse events and overall readmissions, but patients in the repair group had more serious adverse events related to heart failure (P=0.05) and cardiovascular readmissions (P=0.01). On the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire, there was a trend toward greater improvement in the replacement group (P=0.07)., Conclusions: In patients undergoing mitral-valve repair or replacement for severe ischemic mitral regurgitation, we observed no significant between-group difference in left ventricular reverse remodeling or survival at 2 years. Mitral regurgitation recurred more frequently in the repair group, resulting in more heart-failure-related adverse events and cardiovascular admissions. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health and Canadian Institutes of Health Research; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00807040.).

Background: The MitraClip REALISM (Abbott Vascular, Menlo Park, CA) trial included several inclusion criteria to identify patients at high risk for conventional mitral valve (MV) surgery. This study evaluated contemporary surgical outcomes for high-risk surgical patients who met these defined criteria to serve as a benchmark to evaluate appropriateness in treatment allocation between surgical and percutaneous MV repair., Methods: A statewide Society for Thoracic Surgeons (STS) database was queried for patients undergoing isolated mitral valve surgery over a 12-year study period from 17 different hospitals. Patients were stratified into high-risk (HR) versus non-high-risk (non-HR) cohorts based upon clinical criteria similar to those utilized in the REALISM trial. Mixed effects multivariable regression modeling was used to evaluate study endpoints including mortality, morbidity, and resource utilization., Results: Of 2,440 isolated mitral operations, 29% (n = 698) were HR per REALISM criteria. Median STS Predicted Risk of Mortality (PROM) for HR patients was 6.6% compared with 1.6% for non-HR patients (p < 0.001). The HR patients more commonly underwent MV replacement as well as urgent (30% vs 19%, p < 0.001) operations. High-risk patients incurred higher morbidity and mortality (7% vs 1.6%) with longer intensive care unit (48 vs 41 hours) and hospital stays (7 vs 6 days, all p < 0.001). Among REALISM criteria, STS PROM 12% or greater and high-risk STS criteria were the only criteria associated with mortality., Conclusions: Select REALISM criteria, including reoperation with patent grafts and functional MR with ejection fraction less than 0.40, may not identify patients truly at high risk of death with surgery. In addition to conventional STS criteria, risk assessment by surgeons is essential to direct appropriate treatment allocation for high-risk mitral disease., (Copyright © 2014 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Ischemic mitral regurgitation is associated with a substantial risk of death. Practice guidelines recommend surgery for patients with a severe form of this condition but acknowledge that the supporting evidence for repair or replacement is limited., Methods: We randomly assigned 251 patients with severe ischemic mitral regurgitation to undergo either mitral-valve repair or chordal-sparing replacement in order to evaluate efficacy and safety. The primary end point was the left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI) at 12 months, as assessed with the use of a Wilcoxon rank-sum test in which deaths were categorized below the lowest LVESVI rank., Results: At 12 months, the mean LVESVI among surviving patients was 54.6±25.0 ml per square meter of body-surface area in the repair group and 60.7±31.5 ml per square meter in the replacement group (mean change from baseline, -6.6 and -6.8 ml per square meter, respectively). The rate of death was 14.3% in the repair group and 17.6% in the replacement group (hazard ratio with repair, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.42 to 1.47; P=0.45 by the log-rank test). There was no significant between-group difference in LVESVI after adjustment for death (z score, 1.33; P=0.18). The rate of moderate or severe recurrence of mitral regurgitation at 12 months was higher in the repair group than in the replacement group (32.6% vs. 2.3%, P<0.001). There were no significant between-group differences in the rate of a composite of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events, in functional status, or in quality of life at 12 months., Conclusions: We observed no significant difference in left ventricular reverse remodeling or survival at 12 months between patients who underwent mitral-valve repair and those who underwent mitral-valve replacement. Replacement provided a more durable correction of mitral regurgitation, but there was no significant between-group difference in clinical outcomes. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Canadian Institutes of Health; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00807040.).

Background: Mitral valve (MV) disease is often accompanied by concomitant tricuspid valve (TV) disease. This study determined the influence of performing TV procedures in the setting of MV operations within a multiinstitutional patient population., Methods: From 2001 to 2008, 5,495 MV operations were performed at 17 different statewide centers. Of these, 5,062 patients (age, 63.4 ± 13.0 years) underwent an MV operation and 433 (age, 64.0 ± 14.2 years) underwent combined MV and TV (MV+TV) operations. The influence of concomitant TV procedures on operative death and the composite incidence of major complications was assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses., Results: Patients undergoing MV+TV were more commonly women (62.7% vs 45.5%, p < 0.001), had higher rates of heart failure (73.7% vs 50.9%, p < 0.001), and more frequently underwent reoperations (17.1% vs 7.4%, p < 0.001) compared with MV patients. Other patient characteristics, including preoperative endocarditis (8.5% vs 8.2%, p = 0.78), were similar between groups. MV replacement (63.5%) was more common than repair (36.5%, p < 0.001) in MV+TV operations, and MV+TV operations incurred longer median cardiopulmonary bypass times (181 vs 149 minutes, p < 0.001). Unadjusted operative mortality (6.0% vs 10.4%, p = 0.001) and postoperative complications were higher after MV+TV compared with MV. More important, risk adjustment showed performance of concomitant TV procedures was an independent predictor of operative death (odds ratio, 1.50; p = 0.03) and major complications (odds ratio, 1.39; p = 0.004)., Conclusions: A concomitant TV operation is a proxy for more advanced valve disease. Compared with MV operations alone, simultaneous MV+TV operations are associated with elevated morbidity and death, even after risk adjustment. This elevated risk should be considered during preoperative patient risk stratification., (Copyright © 2012 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The emergence of transcatheter approaches to mitral valve (MV) repair has focused attention on outcomes after surgical MV repair. Results from the EVEREST II trial demonstrated worse short-term major adverse event (MAE) rates for surgical repair. This study analyzes contemporary outcomes of surgical MV repair to establish a benchmark for future therapeutic comparisons., Methods: From 2003 to 2008, 903 isolated MV repair operations were performed at 13 different statewide cardiac centers. Patients were excluded if they had prior valve operations or mitral stenosis similar to EVEREST II. MAE rate was defined using similar criteria to EVEREST II, including postoperative atrial fibrillation and transfusion of 2 units of blood or more. Univariate analyses and multivariate regression models were applied to identify independent predictors of MAEs after surgical MV repair., Results: Mean patient age was 57.0 ± 13.2 years, and the majority of patients were men (59.0%, 533/903). The prevalence of preoperative risk factors was as follows: stroke 3.9% (35/903), immunosuppression 2.4% (22/903), heart failure 32.1% (290/903), renal failure 3.5% (32/903), and previous coronary artery bypass grafting 3.4% (31/903). Mean ejection fraction was 55.6 ± 11.3%. MAE rate was 29.0% (262/903), including atrial fibrillation 17.6% (159/903), renal failure 1.3% (12/903), stroke 0.9% (8/903), and operative mortality 1.1% (10/903). Multivariate correlates of MAE included the following: advanced age, prior stroke, immunosuppression, and operation time. Importantly, gender, previous coronary bypass grafting, renal failure, and ejection fraction were not independent predictors of MAE., Conclusions: In the current era, patients undergoing surgical MV repair have low mortality. MAE rate was largely due to postoperative atrial fibrillation. These results may help to stratify which patients may be best served with newer technologies., (Copyright © 2012 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Urgent or emergent status is often associated with increased risk among cardiac operations. The objective of this study was to analyze outcomes and cost differences in patients undergoing elective versus urgent or emergent mitral valve replacement (MVR) and repair operations., Methods: From 2003 to 2008, 1,477 patients underwent isolated, primary mitral valve (MV) operations at 11 different centers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Patients were stratified into four groups: elective MVR (n = 419), elective MV repair (n = 674), urgent or emergent MVR (n = 261) and urgent or emergent MV repair (n = 123). Preoperative risk, operative features, outcomes, and total costs were evaluated., Results: Mitral valve replacement patients had more risk factors, including advanced age. Female sex and severe mitral regurgitation were more common among MV repairs. Mitral valve replacement incurred higher operative mortality (5.2% versus 1.2%; p < 0.001), more major complications (20.6% versus 6.5%; p < 0.001), longer postoperative (10.8 days versus 6.2 days; p < 0.001) and intensive care unit (117.7 hours versus 51.4 hours; p < 0.001) duration, and greater total costs ($45,166 versus $26,229; p < 0.001) compared with MV repair operations. Postoperative length of stay was longer for elective MVR patients compared with elective MV repair patients (p < 0.001) as well as for urgent or emergent MVR patients compared with urgent or emergent MV repair patients (p = 0.001). Total hospital costs were also higher for both elective MVR (p < 0.001) and urgent or emergent MVR (p < 0.001) compared with elective MV repair and urgent or emergent MV repair. Risk-adjusted operative mortality (odds ratio, 11.4; p < 0.001) and major complication rates (odds ratio, 7.6; p < 0.001) were highest for urgent or emergent MVR., Conclusions: Mitral valve repair is associated with lower morbidity, mortality, and total costs compared with MVR. For urgent or emergent operations, the improved outcomes with mitral repair versus replacement are even more profound., (Copyright 2010 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Mitral valve replacement is more frequently performed and perceived to be equivalent to repair in elderly patients, despite the superiority of repair in younger patients. Our objective was to compare mitral repair to replacement in elderly patients age 75 years or older. Patients younger than 75 years undergoing mitral valve surgery served as a reference population., Methods: Consecutive elderly patients undergoing operation for mitral regurgitation at our institution from 1998 to 2006 were reviewed. Elderly patients (mean age, 78.0 +/- 2.8 years) who underwent mitral repair (n = 70) or replacement (n = 47) were compared with cohorts of young patients (mean age, 58.9 +/- 9.3 years) who underwent repair (n = 100) or replacement (n = 98) during the same period. Patient details and outcomes were compared using univariate, multivariate, and Kaplan-Meier analyses., Results: Mitral replacement in elderly patients had higher mortality than repair (23.4%, 11 of 47 versus 7.1%, 5 of 70; p = 0.01) or as compared with either operation in the reference group (p < 0.0001). Postoperative stroke was higher in elderly replacement patients compared with repair (12.8%, 6 of 47 versus 0%; p = 0.003) or compared with either young cohort (p = 0.02). Compared with elderly repair patients, elderly replacement patients had more cerebrovascular disease (21.3%, 10 of 47 versus 4.3%, 3 of 70; p = 0.005) and rheumatic mitral valves (21.3%, 10 of 47 versus 0%; p = 0.0001). In the young group, overall complication and mortality were no different between replacement and repair. Long-term survival favored repair over replacement in elderly patients (p = 0.04). One elderly repair patient experienced late recurrence of persistent mitral regurgitation., Conclusions: In patients age 75 years or older, mitral repair is associated with a lower risk of mortality, postoperative stroke, and prolonged intensive care unit and hospital stay compared with mitral replacement. Mitral repair can be performed in preference over replacement even in patients older than the age of 75.

Background: Although the benefits of mitral valve repair for degenerative disease are well established, many consider surgery for functional ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) less amenable to operative treatment. We hypothesized that mitral valve repair for ischemic MR results in outcomes similar to those for mitral valve repair for degenerative MR., Methods: Retrospective review of nonemergent mitral valve repairs for an 8-year period revealed 105 patients with functional ischemic MR, of whom 39 were treated for severe tethering (ischemic group), and 245 patients with degenerative MR (degenerative group)., Results: Patients in the ischemic group had more comorbidities (p < 0.01) and worse preoperative left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction < or = 0.29) compared with patients in the degenerative group; (ischemic, 37.1% [39 of 105] versus degenerative, 2.0% [5 of 245]; p < 0.01). Immediate postrepair transesophageal echocardiogram revealed a 0 to 1+ MR in all patients in both groups (not significant). The hospital mortality rate was 1.9% (2 of 105) in the ischemic group and 1.2% (3 of 245) in the degenerative group (p = 1.00). The 5-year survival rate was 83.9% in the ischemic group and 94.3% in the degenerative group (p < 0.01). Five-year freedom from reoperation for recurrent MR was 100% and 97.5% in the ischemic and degenerative groups, respectively (p = 0.14). Postoperative renal failure and stroke rates were similar between both groups (not significant). The incidence of moderate or greater MR after more than 1 year of follow-up was similar between groups (not significant)., Conclusions: Despite the multiple comorbidities that afflict patients with ischemic MR, mitral valve repair for ischemic and degenerative disease produces comparable and satisfactory outcomes. An aggressive approach to repair of functional ischemic MR, including treatment of tethering, leads to durable results.

Background: Only 40% of patients with mitral valve (MV) regurgitation undergo operative repair rather than replacement. Quadrangular resection combined with ring annuloplasty has been the most common method of repair for degenerative posterior leaflet disease. Techniques such as sliding annuloplasty and artificial chord usage have increased the complexity of repair. These techniques have been perceived to be difficult and have possibly reduced the incidence of MV repair. We present our experience with a simplified approach to MV repair utilizing a triangular resection and larger rings., Methods: Retrospective review of all MV repairs over a 7-year period (1999 to 2006) revealed 154 patients who underwent triangular resection for degenerative disease. Patients who underwent ring annuloplasty without leaflet resection and patients who had artificial chords or quadrangular resections were excluded., Results: Of 154 patients who underwent triangular resection, isolated posterior leaflet resection was performed on 130 patients. Isolated anterior and combined anterior and posterior leaflet triangular resections were performed on 16 and 8 patients, respectively. Thirty-day postoperative mortality was 0%. Five-year freedom from reoperation for recurrent mitral regurgitation was 99.0%. No patients who had intended leaflet resection were converted to MV replacement. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram revealed trace to 1+ mitral regurgitation. Mild systolic anterior motion was noted in 7.1% of cases initially, but resolved with volume loading in all., Conclusions: Triangular leaflet resection of the mitral valve produces durable results and can be safely and efficiently performed with minimal morbidity and mortality. This technique should allow increased utilization of MV repair for degenerative disease.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of mitral repair and replacement in revascularized patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation., Summary Background Data: Combined coronary bypass (CABG) and mitral procedures have been associated with the highest mortality (>10%) in cardiac surgery. Recent studies have suggested that mitral valve replacement (MVR) with sparing of the subvalvular apparatus had comparable results to mitral repair when associated with CABG., Methods: Over the past 7 years, 54 patients had CABG/mitral repair versus 56 who had CABG/MVR with preservation of the subvalvular apparatus. The groups were similar in age at 69.2 years in the replacement group versus 67.0 in the repair group. We compared these 2 groups based on hospital mortality, incidence of complications including nosocomial infection, neurologic decompensation (stroke), pulmonary complication (pneumonia, atelectasis, and prolonged ventilation), and renal complications (acute renal failure or insufficiency)., Results: The mitral repair group had a hospital mortality of 1.9% versus 10.7% in the replacement group (P = 0.05). Infection occurred in 9% of repairs compared with 13% of replacements (P = 0.59). The incidence of stroke was no different between groups (2 of 54 repairs vs. 2 of 56 replacements, P = 1.00). Pulmonary complication rate was 39% in repairs versus 32% in replacements (P = 0.59). Worsening renal function occurred in 15% of repairs versus 18% of replacements (P = 0.67)., Conclusions: Mitral repair is superior to mitral replacement when associated with coronary artery disease in terms of perioperative morbidity and hospital mortality. Although preservation of the subvalvular apparatus with MVR has a theoretical advantage in terms of ventricular function, mitral repair clearly adds a survival benefit in patients with concomitant ischemic cardiac disease.

Right-sided aortic arch with a concomitant coarctation is an exceedingly rare congenital cardiac anomaly. We report of a 4-year-old boy who presented with a history of a stenotic bicuspid aortic valve who upon further evaluation was found to have a coarctation of a right-sided aortic arch. The frequency with which other anomalies exist in either of the above conditions requires thorough cardiac evaluation and detailed imaging. Surgical repair of this anomaly can safely be undertaken through a right thoracotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR), ring annuloplasty is associated with a significant rate of recurrent MR. Ring size is based on intertrigonal distance without consideration of left ventricular (LV) size. However, LV size is an important determinant of mitral valve (MV) leaflet tethering before and after repair. We aimed to determine whether LV-MV ring mismatch (mismatch of LV size relative to ring size) is associated with recurrent MR in patients with IMR after restrictive ring annuloplasty.Methods: Patients with moderate or severe IMR from the 2 Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network IMR trials who received MV repair were examined at 1 year after surgery. Baseline LV size was assessed by LV end-diastolic dimension and LV end-systolic dimension (LVESd). LV-MV ring mismatch was calculated as the ratio of LV to ring size (LV end-diastolic dimension/ring size and LVESd/ring size).Results: At 1 year after ring annuloplasty, 45 of 214 patients with MV repair (21%) had moderate or greater MR. In univariable logistic regression analysis, larger LVESd (P=0.02) and LVESd/ring size (P=0.007) were associated with recurrent MR. In multivariable models adjusted for age, sex, baseline LV ejection fraction, and severe IMR, only LVESd/ring size (odd ratio per 0.5 increase, 2.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-4.62; P=0.038) remained significantly associated with 1-year MR recurrence.Conclusions: LV-MV ring size mismatch is associated with increased risk of MR recurrence. This finding may be helpful in guiding choice of ring size to prevent recurrent MR in patients undergoing MV repair and in identifying patients who may benefit from MV repair with additional subvalvular intervention or MV replacement rather than repair alone.Clinical Trial Registration: URL:http://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifiers: NCT00806988 and NCT00807040. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]