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Rupture of left ventricle following mitral valve replacement

K J Karlson1, M M Ashraf, R L Berger

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston, MA.

Insights

Left ventricular rupture after mitral valve replacement occurs in 1.2% of cases, often due to surgical technique or leaflet removal. Preventive strategies and specific repair methods significantly impact patient survival rates.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Cardiac Surgery Outcomes
  • Mitral Valve Replacement Complications

Background:

  • Left ventricular rupture is a rare but serious complication following mitral valve replacement.
  • Previous literature suggests an incidence of approximately 1.2% in larger series.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the incidence, causes, and outcomes of left ventricular rupture after mitral valve replacement.
  • To identify potential preventive measures and assess the efficacy of different surgical repair strategies.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive survey of English language literature was conducted.
  • 125 cases of left ventricular rupture post-mitral valve replacement were identified and analyzed.
  • Outcomes of surgical repair with and without cardiopulmonary bypass were compared.

Main Results:

  • The average incidence of left ventricular rupture was 1.2%.
  • Ruptures were primarily attributed to operative technicalities or stretch injury from leaflet removal.
  • Surgical repair survival rates varied: 50% with cardiopulmonary bypass, 7% without. External repair with bypass yielded 67% survival, internal approach 27%.

Conclusions:

  • Modifications in surgical techniques, managing left ventricular pressure-volume load, and potentially retaining the posterior mitral leaflet may prevent rupture.
  • Cardiopulmonary bypass significantly improves survival rates for surgical repair, with external repair showing superior outcomes.

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