Outcomes after surgical ventricular restoration for ischemic cardiomyopathy

The study objective was to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy after surgical ventricular restoration and to identify risk factors related to poor results.

Between August 2002 and April 2016, 62 patients affected by ischemic cardiomyopathy underwent surgical left ventricular restoration at our unit. Patients' mean age at operation was 63 years (39-79 years). Mean ejection fraction was 29.6%. The Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure trial criteria have been used as indications for surgery. Fifty-seven patients (91%) received surgical myocardial revascularization. Mitral valve repair was performed in 39 patients (63%). The surgical technique consisted of the classic Dor operation or a different approach reducing the equatorial diameter of the left ventricle and avoiding the use of a patch. The data were analyzed retrospectively for perioperative results and short- and long-term clinical outcomes.

One patient died of noncardiac causes within 30 days (1.6%). All-cause death occurred in 36 patients (58%) during follow-up (0.6-14.7 years; median follow-up time, 7.02 years), of whom 15 died of cardiac causes. Age, need for preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump, reduction less than 35% of postoperative left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, type of surgical technique, and ejection fraction less than 25% were identified as risk factors for late cardiac mortality. Perioperative levosimendan administration and presence of preoperative moderate to severe mitral regurgitation influenced early and intermediate-term outcomes, but no statistical relevance on long-term results was demonstrated.

Patients with ischemic dilative cardiomyopathy have favorable short- and long-term outcomes after ventricular restoration. Age, preoperative ejection fraction less than 25%, inadequate left ventricular surgical reverse remodeling, and type of surgical technique negatively affect long-term survival.