Mitral valve reconstruction in Barlow disease: long-term echographic results and implications for surgical management

Owing to the complexity of the underlying lesions, Barlow disease remains a challenge for surgeons performing mitral valve repair. We aimed to assess whether our most recent results involving several surgeons were comparable with those of a previous experience in which mitral valve repair was performed by a more limited group of surgeons.

From September 2000 to January 2007, 200 patients with Barlow disease (135 men and 65 women; mean age, 56 ± 13 years) were referred to our institution for surgical treatment of their mitral regurgitation. We retrospectively analysed the mitral lesions characteristics, the surgical techniques used, and clinical outcomes. Follow-up echocardiograms were biannually reviewed.

Lesions comprised annular dilatation, excess tissue, and leaflet prolapse in all cases. The most frequent prolapsed segments were P2 (88.5%; n = 177) and A2 (55.5%; n = 111). Annular calcifications and restrictive valvular motion were associated in 20% (n = 40). Repair was feasible in 94.7% (n = 179/189) of non-redo interventions. Immediate postoperative echocardiography showed residual mitral regurgitation greater than 1+ in 6 cases; these patients were all reoperated on within the next months. Operative mortality was 1.5% (n = 3). Mean follow-up was 77.5 ± 25.6 months. At 8 years postoperatively, overall survival was 88.6% ± 3.1%, freedom from reintervention was 95.3% ± 1.7%, and freedom from late recurrent moderate mitral regurgitation (>2+) was 90.2% ± 3.1%

Provided that the fundamental principles of mitral valve reconstruction are respected, the surgical techniques are highly reproducible with good long-term results, similar to those published during the pioneering phase of this surgery.