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Published on: October 16, 2021
Mechanisms of Repair Failure After Mitral Valve Repair Using Chordal Replacement
Miriam Lang1, Nina Feirer1, Bernhard Voss1
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Institute Insure, German Heart Center Munich, School of Medicine & Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Background:
Mechanisms of repair failure after mitral valve repair (MVr) using chordal replacement and annuloplasty for degenerative mitral regurgitation were analyzed.
Methods:
All mitral valve reoperations after isolated MVr using solely chordal replacement and annuloplasty for degenerative mitral regurgitation at the German Heart Center Munich (Munich, Germany) were reviewed. This retrospective observational study aimed to analyze mechanisms of repair failure leading to reoperations.
Results:
Between 2003 and 2010, a total of 344 patients underwent MVr with chordal replacement and annuloplasty. During a mean follow-up of 9.7 years (range, 0-15.9 years), reoperation on the mitral valve was necessary in 38 (11.0%) cases. Reoperations were performed after a mean of 6.8 years (range, 0-14.1 years). The mechanisms of MVr failure were disease progression (39.5%), technical failure (36.8%), and endocarditis (18.4%). Re-repair was performed in 28.9% and was accomplished using redo annuloplasty (90.9%), chordal replacement (90.9%), resection techniques (27.3%), and leaflet patch reconstruction (9.1%). One patient (2.6%) underwent transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for reoperation. Mitral valve replacement (MVR) was necessary in 63.2%. Redo MVr was mainly performed in cases of technical failure, and MVR was more frequently performed in patients with mitral valve sclerosis. Repeat reoperation was necessary in 3 of 24 cases of MVR and in 2 of 11 cases of redo MVr after a median of 3.8 years (range, 0.01-10.04 years).
Conclusions:
MVr using chordal replacement allows a variety of methods for re-repair, including transcatheter solutions. Redo MVr is more often feasible in cases of technical failure, whereas MVR for reoperation is more frequently necessary in patients with mitral valve sclerosis.
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