Outcomes of surgical valve replacements for radiation-induced valvulopathy

Patients with cancer who receive radiation therapy to the thorax often develop radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) decades later. Previous chest radiation is associated with elevated perioperative risk of complications and mortality after cardiac surgery. Whether the type of valve (mechanical vs bioprosthetic) used affects outcomes in patients with RIHD is unknown.

This retrospective review analyzed the characteristics and postoperative outcomes of patients with a previous history of chest radiation for Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma who underwent surgical valve replacement at a single institution between 2000 and 2021. Both 30-day perioperative outcomes and long-term survival were assessed.

Patients who received mechanical valve tended to be younger, have more valves replaced, and have undergone previous coronary artery bypass grafting than bioprosthetic valve recipients. Valve type alone did not alter perioperative complications or overall survival. Median survival was 11.0 years in mechanical and 10.9 years in bioprosthetic valve patients (P = .930). Twelve patients underwent valve reinterventions (6 mechanical, 6 bioprosthetic), and 3 underwent transplant. Single-valve (aortic valve or mitral valve) recipients fared better with median survival of 13.3 years compared with 6.2 years in those who underwent combined aortic valve replacement plus mitral valve replacement (P < .0001).

Patients with RIHD who undergo surgical valve replacement have similarly suboptimal short- and long-term outcomes regardless of mechanical versus bioprosthetic valve type. Those who required combined aortic and mitral valve replacement had especially high 10-year overall mortality. Further investigation in a larger dataset including transcatheter approaches is warranted.