[Partial left ventriculectomy for the treatment of end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy]

To report our experience of the first 5 cases of Partial left ventriculectomy (PLV or Batista operation), a new surgical therapy for end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy in China.

From April to August 1998, 5 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy received PLV at Anzhen hospital. The age of the patients ranged from 42 to 53 years, 3 patients were in NYHA class III and 2 in class IV. All patients had mitral valve insufficiency (3 moderate and 2 severe) and 1 had severe tricuspid valve insufficiency preoperatively. Cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac arrest with cold blood cardioplegia were used in all patients. The weight of the resected left ventricle muscle was 41.3-53.0 mg. All patients underwent mitral annuloplasty and 1 plus a tricuspid annuloplasty (De Vega).

End cardiography demonstrated a significant decrease in the left ventricular diastolic diameter (8.4 +/- 1.1) cm to (5.5 +/- 0.4) cm, P < 0.01 and an increase in ejection fraction (17.8 +/- 6.3)% to (34.8 +/- 3.2)% P < 0.025. One patient died of heart failure on 6th day after operation. The mean follow-up period of the 4 discharged patients were 4 months (from 3 to 6 months), 1 was in NYHA class I and 3 in class II.

Batista operation is a new and valuable alternative for the surgical treatment of end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy. Its long-term result need further studies.