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Published on: December 11, 2017
Mitral valve replacement in the elderly is associated with low mortality and similar survival to the general
Victor Dayan1, Gerardo Soca, Leandro Cura
1Division of Cardiac Surgery, National Institute of Cardiac Surgery, Montevideo, Uruguay - victor_dayan@hotmail.com.
Insights
Mitral valve replacement surgery in elderly patients demonstrates feasible outcomes. While operative mortality has decreased, long-term survival is comparable to the general population, particularly for females.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Increasing elderly population leads to higher incidence of mitral regurgitation.
- Elderly patients often denied mitral valve surgery due to perceived poor outcomes.
- Mitral valve replacement is the preferred procedure in this center.
Purpose of the Study:
- Analyze early and late survival in elderly patients undergoing mitral valve replacement.
- Evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of mitral valve surgery in older adults.
- Compare survival rates of elderly patients to the general population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patients over 70 undergoing first-time isolated mitral valve replacement (2000-2012).
- Comparison of observed survival with expected survival in the Uruguayan population.
- Identification of independent predictors for operative mortality and survival.
Main Results:
- Global operative mortality was 9.4%, significantly lower after 2006 (1.8% vs. 15.3%).
- Pre-2006 surgery, low hematocrit, and high creatinine predicted operative mortality.
- 6-year survival was 70.2% for females (similar to expected) and 40.1% for males (lower than expected).
Conclusions:
- Mitral valve replacement is a viable option for elderly patients with mitral valve disease.
- Centers focusing on replacement can achieve low operative mortality.
- Survival rates are comparable to the general population, especially in females.
Background:
With the increase of elderly population, cardiologists and surgeons are faced with an increased incidence of mitral regurgitation. Most of these patients are denied surgery due to a misconceived perception of ominous surgical results. Our objective was to analyze early and late survival in elderly patients after mitral valve surgery in a center in which replacement is the procedure of choice.
Methods:
We obtained clinical follow-up of patients older than 70 years who underwent first-time isolated replacement from January 2000 to January 2012. Observed survival was compared with expected survival in the general population of Uruguay. Independent predictors of operative mortality and survival were determined.
Results:
A total of 127 patients were included. Global operative mortality was 9.4% (1.8% after year 2006 vs. 15.3% before 2006; P<0.05). Surgery performed before 2006, preoperative hematocrit and creatinine were independent predictors for operative mortality after multivariate analysis. 6-year survival was 70.2% for females (72.4% expected survival, P=ns) and 40.1% in males (63.5% expected survival, P<0.05). Independent predictors of survival were surgery performed before 2006 (HR=3.2) and female sex (HR=0.4).
Conclusion:
Mitral valve replacement is a feasible option for elderly patients with mitral valve disease in centers with lack expertise in valve repair. Actual surgical results provide low operative mortality and similar survival to general the population (mainly in females).
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