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Standardized Technique of Aortic Valve Re-implantation for Valve-sparing Aortic Root Replacement
Published on: December 11, 2017
Cardiac valve replacement. The rationale for earlier operation
Insights
Cardiac valve replacement surgery showed low initial risk but high late mortality, with most deaths due to progressive heart disease. Early intervention is recommended before irreversible damage occurs.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Valvular heart disease significantly impacts patient quality of life and survival.
- Cardiac valve replacement is a common intervention for severe valvular heart disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term outcomes and mortality associated with cardiac valve replacement.
- To assess the efficacy of prosthetic valves in improving patient function and survival.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 138 patients undergoing single or double cardiac valve replacement.
- Procedures maintained normothermia, coronary perfusion, and cardiac beating.
- Patients were followed for at least one year, with an average follow-up of 4.5 years.
Main Results:
- Hospital mortality was 3.6%.
- Late mortality was 27%, with 75% attributed to progressive cardiac disease.
- Prosthetic valve dysfunction accounted for 4% of late deaths.
- Only 50% of patients showed significant long-term improvement, with many remaining symptomatic.
Conclusions:
- Despite low operative risk and reliable prosthetic valves, long-term outcomes are concerning.
- High late mortality and poor functional results question the strategy of delaying surgery.
- Earlier cardiac valve replacement is advised to prevent irreversible myocardial damage.
Abstract:
Cardiac valve replacement (single or double) was carried out in 138 consecutive patients with valvular heart disease over a six-year period at the Wadsworth Veterans Administration Hospital. All but a few had functional class III or IV disease. Hospital mortality was 3.6 percent.Normothermia, coronary perfusion and beating of the heart were maintained throughout the procedure. All patients were followed at least one year and the average follow-up was four and a half years. The late mortality was 27 percent. Seventy-five percent of the late deaths were due to progressive cardiac disease. The mortality due to prosthetic valve dysfunction was 4 percent. Subjective evaluation of survivors revealed that a high percentage remained symptomatic. Only 50 percent of the total group of patients were significantly improved. The high incidence of late mortality and poor long-term functional results are contrasted to the low operative risk and improved reliability of prosthetic valves. The rationale of delaying operation until functional class III limitation develops is questioned. Earlier operation is recommended before irreversible myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis develop.
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