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Published on: May 26, 2023
Minimally Invasive Surgery for Mitral Valve Endocarditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Reconstructed
Thomas Karagkounis1, Angeliki Alifragki2, Ioannis Zoupas3
14th Department of Cardiac Surgery, Hygeia Hospital, 15123 Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: Minimally invasive (MIS) mitral valve surgery has been proven to be a safe and effective alternative to median sternotomy (ST), with advantages in postoperative recovery and morbidity. However, its role in the setting of infective endocarditis (IE) remains uncertain. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the outcomes of MIS in mitral valve surgery for infective endocarditis. Methods: A PRISMA-compliant search for studies including patients undergoing MIS for mitral valve IE was performed through 14 January 2026, in PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane. Time-to-event data were reconstructed from published Kaplan-Meier curves. A secondary comparative analysis focusing on MIS versus ST techniques was conducted. Results: Fourteen retrospective studies comprising 949 patients were analyzed. In the MIS cohort, early mortality was 4.2% (95%CI: 1.8%, 7.4%). Overall survival was 86.7% at 1 year, 75.2% at 5 years and 56.2% at 10 years. Freedom from IE-related reoperation remained high at 97.5%, 95.9%, and 90.7% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Mitral valve repair was performed in 52.5% of patients. In secondary comparative analyses, overall survival at 4-year follow-up was not different between MIS and ST [HR: 0.82 (95%CI: 0.43, 1.57), p = 0.55]. MIS was associated with a significantly shorter intensive care unit (ICU) stay [MD: -1.52 days (95%CI: -2.08, -0.97), p < 0.01]. Conclusions: MIS for mitral valve IE is associated with favorable early and long-term outcomes, comparable survival with sternotomy, and reduced ICU stay. These findings suggest that MIS may be considered as a feasible and potentially effective alternative for the management of mitral valve IE in carefully selected patients. Further prospective comparative studies are warranted.
Insights
Minimally invasive surgery for mitral valve infective endocarditis offers favorable outcomes, comparable survival to sternotomy, and shorter ICU stays. This approach may be a viable option for select patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Infective Diseases
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
Background:
- Minimally invasive (MIS) mitral valve surgery is a safe alternative to sternotomy (ST) with better recovery.
- The efficacy of MIS for mitral valve infective endocarditis (IE) is not well-established.
- This meta-analysis evaluates MIS outcomes for mitral valve IE.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and effectiveness of MIS for mitral valve IE.
- To compare MIS outcomes with traditional sternotomy (ST) for mitral valve IE.
- To analyze early and long-term survival and reoperation rates for MIS in mitral valve IE.
Main Methods:
- PRISMA-compliant literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases.
- Analysis of 14 retrospective studies involving 949 patients with mitral valve IE.
- Reconstruction of time-to-event data from Kaplan-Meier curves and comparative analysis between MIS and ST.
Main Results:
- Early mortality in the MIS cohort was 4.2%.
- 1, 5, and 10-year overall survival rates were 86.7%, 75.2%, and 56.2%, respectively.
- MIS showed comparable survival to ST, with significantly shorter ICU stays (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- MIS for mitral valve IE demonstrates favorable early and long-term results.
- MIS offers survival rates comparable to sternotomy and reduces intensive care unit (ICU) stay.
- MIS is a feasible and potentially effective alternative for carefully selected mitral valve IE patients.
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