The results of valve replacement for mitral valve prolapse

Between January, 1975, and December, 1982, 33 patients underwent mitral valve replacement for mitral valve prolapse secondary to myxomatous degeneration. The majority were in the seventh decade of life (median age, 62 years), and all were seen with symptoms of mitral regurgitation. Echocardiography was more accurate in making the diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse more often (75%) than angiography (66%). Thirty-eight percent of the patients who underwent cineangiography had concomitant coronary artery disease and had coronary artery bypass grafting as well as mitral valve replacement. There was 1 operative death, an operative mortality of 3%. There were 6 late deaths, a late mortality of 18%. Of the 26 long-term survivors, 23 (88%) were in New York Heart Association Functional Class I and 3 (12%) were in Class II. The average length of follow-up was 33.25 months, and the 5-year actuarial survival was 76%. There was only one incident of thromboembolism (3%). Short-term and long-term survival were not related to the severity of mitral regurgitation but to the status of the left ventricle and the overall condition of the patient. These data suggest that older patients with severe mitral regurgitation secondary to mitral valve prolapse can undergo valve replacement with low operative mortality and gratifying long-term results.