Left atrial roof: an alternative minimal approach for mitral valve surgery

The most common surgical incisions to expose the mitral valve include a paraseptal left atriotomy or a transeptal biatrial approach. Both techniques are normally performed through a full sternotomy and bicaval cannulation. We report our experience with an alternative incision to expose the mitral valve using the left atrial roof (LAR) through a complete sternotomy or a J-shaped upper ministernotomy.

Between 2007 and 2011, a total of 512 patients underwent mitral procedures using the LAR approach. A J-shaped ministernotomy was performed in 189 patients, and 61 of these had concomitant aortic valve/root procedures. A standard sternotomy was performed in 323 patients, and 126 of these had concomitant aortic valve/root procedures. The repair rate in patients with mitral regurgitation was 398 of 460 (86.5%).

In-hospital mortality was 2.3%. An adjunctive pericardial patch to repair the LAR was necessary in 1.9% of patients. A permanent pacemaker was necessary in 3.1% of patients. Four-year survival rate was 91% ± 4.2%. In patients who underwent mitral repair, 4-year freedom from mitral regurgitation greater than 2 was 97.4%.

The LAR approach is a safe and effective option to perform mitral valve surgery. The limited extension of this incision and the possibility to use a single venous cannula make this approach suitable for minimally invasive isolated mitral valve procedures, whereas the proximity of the LAR to the aortic root makes this approach particularly attractive for combined mitroaortic procedures through a ministernotomy.